ECHS math teacher indicted for sex with student while at Mobile school
By DON FLETCHER
News Staff Writer
An Escambia County High School math teacher, hired less than three months ago, is now on paid administrative leave after his recent indictment in Mobile County on charges he engaged in sexual activity with a student while teaching at LeFlore High School in Mobile.
Escambia County School System officials said the employee — 30-year-old Zachary Calhoun — was placed on administrative leave, with pay and benefits, when the news of his indictment became known.
“The employee was placed on leave of absence as soon as we were made aware of the allegations and indictment,” Superintendent of Education Michele McClung said. “Additionally, we notified the Alabama Department of Education of the allegations and his leave of absence.”
A Mobile County grand jury handed up the three-count indictment against Calhoun, charging him with one count of first-degree criminal sexual abuse and two counts of a school employee engaging in a sex act with a student.
According to published and broadcast reports, Calhoun was arrested by U.S. Marshals and booked into Mobile County Metro Jail around 6:30 a.m. Tuesday, December 6. He was freed later that day when $27,500 bond was posted.
Mobile television station WPMI broadcast a brief statement from Mobile County School System officials regarding Calhoun’s situation.
“Allegations were made about a year ago. We immediately terminated him and reported the allegations to the Child Advocacy Center and police,” the statement reads.
Escambia County Board of Education members approved during their October 27 meeting a 34-person list of personnel actions. On the list were 22 new hires, including Calhoun, who was employed to replace Keyon Thompson at ECHS.
The teacher reportedly must be given 30 days’ notice of the local system’s intention to fire him, which means his employment most likely won’t be formally terminated until the school board meets in January.
LeFlore High’s website shows the embattled educator is a native of Mobile and a 2011 graduate of LHS, where he was a two-sport athlete. He earned a track scholarship to Troy University, from which he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics in 2016.
He earned a Master’s in Education from Northcentral University in 2019 and was in his fourth year of teaching at LeFlore when his illicit relationship with the student came to light.