Questions about how teacher accused of sexual battery passed background check
MNPD says he was on administrative leave from STEM Preparatory Academy while hired by KIPP Academy
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - It was at KIPP Academy where police say teacher Michael Ligon was walked out in handcuffs on Thursday. He was teaching there while on paid leave from another Nashville school.
It started in April at STEM Preparatory Academy where Ligon was accused of kissing a thirteen-year-old student and touching her inappropriately since October 2023.
STEM Prep put him on paid administrative leave. While on leave he managed to get hired by KIPP and was teaching until he was arrested and charged with sexual battery by an authority figure.
For Kaylee Rote who lives just feet from the school and is a parent herself - she says it’s shocking.
“They’re all such sweet kids. It really hurts my heart that any of them were put into compromising situations,” Rote said.
She, like many parents, is wondering how he was able to get hired.
“I am really curious as to how a school wouldn’t do enough of a background check or like due diligence to make sure that a possible teacher at their school would have something like this going on in their life. It’s crazy,” Rote said.
KIPP says they did do a thorough background check. In an email, they sent this statement:
“We were surprised and deeply disturbed to learn about the criminal charges filed against Dr. Ligon. His alleged actions are a violation of the sacred trust our families place in us when they give us the privilege of educating their children.
Dr. Ligon was hired as a 9th grade English teacher at KIPP Nashville Collegiate High School this year. As with all prospective employees, we conducted a comprehensive background check on Dr. Ligon prior to his employment with us. Our background check process follows state requirements and includes fingerprinting and a criminal history check through the TBI and FBI. Nothing appeared on his record regarding this matter or that otherwise would have precluded his hiring. Moreover, nothing regarding this pending investigation or unresolved misconduct complaint was attached to his teacher license.
Shortly after the arrest, we made the decision to terminate Mr. Ligon from his position. While we believe in Mr. Ligon’s constitutional right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty, we have an obligation to our students and other staff to only employ educators whose presence will support our commitment to providing a safe and trusted environment.”
A state law says it’s the responsibility of the reporting school and the board of education to record it.
“It would cause me to question all the other people that are in power at the school, so teachers, administrators, even from the district, I just feel like I would be questioning all the way up the ladder,” Rote said.
Police say they expect more charges against Ligon. He’s been fired from KIPP and is being held on a $75,000 bond.
Anyone with information about Ligon’s behavior around minors is asked to contact the MNPD Youth Services Division at 615-862-7417.
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