A member of the Central Baldwin Middle School staff has been placed on administrative leave and is under investigation by police and the Baldwin County Board of Education for allegedly harassing a student.

According to Terry Wilhite, a spokesperson for the Baldwin County School Board, said the teacher involved was hired in August of 2005 and was a science teacher at the school.

The allegation came to light when a parent filed a complaint with Robertsdale police Dec. 31.

“On New Years Eve, a report was made alleging inappropriate contact between a student and a teacher,” said Sgt. Rex Bishop, a spokesperson for the Robertsdale Police Department. Bishop added that the teacher is 34 and the student is 13.

The school board does not have a policy against students and teachers exchanging cell phone numbers. According to Wilhite, no policy is planned now.

According to Wilhite, “We received word from a student and parents that a Central Baldwin Middle School student had been contacted by cell phone, texting and voice, in an inappropriate manner. We immediately placed the employee on paid administrative leave pending an outcome of an internal review and the police investigation.”

Wilhite added that the police are conducting an investigation and the BCBE’s Human Resources department is conducting a review. Bishop indicated that the police investigation is continuing.

Bringing a complaint against an adult like a teacher can be a scary experience for a youngster, but Wilhite says, “We always encourage students to report any activity that they feel uncomfortable with to a teacher, administrator or other respected adult.”