Battery Charge Involving Student Leveled Against Special-Ed Teacher

DALLAS-HIRAM — A Dallas resident is one of two Polk County special-education teachers on administrative leave after being arrested for reckless conduct and battery involving students.

Mary E. Seyler, 49, of Dallas, who teaches at Cedartown High School, was booked into the Polk County Jail Tuesday on misdemeanor charges of reckless conduct and simple battery, according to a report by The Polk County Standard Journal. She was released on $2,000 bond.

Camela Mears of Cedartown, who teaches at Van Wert Elementary in Rockmart, also was booked on Tuesday. She was charged with misdemeanor counts of reckless conduct and battery and also released on $2,000 bond.

Polk School District police chief Michael McGee told the Cedartown newspaper that both incidents are unrelated and involved two students at two separate schools. He offered no other details.

The Polk School District issued this statement:

"The Polk School District Board of Education is aware of the arrests and will thoroughly review each matter to determine what disciplinary action may be appropriate. The District generally does not comment on specific personnel matters. At this point, the only comment we can offer is that the incidents are unrelated and are currently under investigation by the Polk School District Police Department. Both employees will remain on administrative leave with pay until the Board makes this determination. As always, the District’s primary concern is the safety and security of its students."

Read the story in The Polk County Standard Journal.