Coach Fired Following Misconduct Investigation

Schulenburg I.S.D. fired assistant football coach and teacher Jaylen Samuels following a special called school board meeting on Sunday, Sept. 22.

The school placed Samuels on administrative leave last Monday, Sept. 16, in response to allegations of misconduct with students.

“On September 16, 2024, allegations of misconduct by a district teacher were received by my office,” Superintendent Julie Motomura said in an email sent to parents on Tuesday, Sept. 17. “The teacher’s employment was immediately suspended and an investigation of the allegations was started. As of yesterday, the teacher has no contact with students.”

Motomura’s letter did not name Samuels as the accused teacher. Following the allegations, the Schulenburg I.S.D. Board of Trustees scheduled a special meeting for Sunday, Sept. 22. The agenda for that meeting stated the board would deliberate and possibly terminate the “probationary contract and employment of non-certified teacher and coach Jaylen Samuels for good cause.”

“Please know that the district investigates all allegations of improper conduct and takes these allegations very seriously,” said Motomura in the letter to parents. “Additionally, the district fully complies with all reporting requirements to law enforcement and to the State Board for Educator Certification when an investigation reveals potential or actual misconduct.”

Schulenburg Police Chief Troy Brenek said officers in his department are reviewing evidence to determine whether Samuels should face criminal charges.

“We are looking into some accusations whether or not there’s been some improper conduct, an improper studentteacher relationship,” Brenek said.

Brenek described the allegations as inappropriate communications on social media involving female students. He said Samuels is 26 years old.

Schulenburg ISD hired Samuels as an assistant coach and science teacher during the summer of 2023. Prior to that, Samuels was a teacher and coach at Willis Point Junior High.