DeKalb Schools Tribunal: Fire Teacher Accused of Molestation

*This story has been updated with a comment from the DeKalb County Schools Superintendent

DECATUR, GA -- In the coming weeks, the DeKalb County School Board is expected to make a decision on whether a Mary McLeod Bethune Middle school teacher accused of child molestation should be terminated.

A DeKalb County School Board tribunal recommended Thursday that Xavier Sanders, 33, be fired after police caught him in a car with a 13-year-old female student after hours in Exchange Park.

Sanders was a no-show at Thursday's tribunal hearing, but his attorney -- along with the arresting officer -- was there, according to media reports.

The officer said that when he happened upon the teen and teacher at the park in August, the two appeared to be in the middle of committing a sexual act or about to, WAGA-TV reports.

DeKalb County Schools Superintendent Stephen Green, in a statement to Patch, said that the district is taking the allegations against Sanders very seriously and doing its utmost to ensure that students are protected.

“Following established safety and legal protocol, Mr. Sanders was immediately removed from the school and placed on paid leave when we learned that he was with a student in the park after dark. We are vigorously pursuing all administrative and legal actions to ensure that justice is done. The safety and health of all our students and staff are our top priorities, and we will continue to be relentless in our commitment to this pledge.”

According to WAGA-TV, when the officer questioned Sanders as to why he would be in a vehicle with a girl at night he said that he was just talking to her, offering some guidance.

Sanders is out on bond after being arrested on Nov. 22, according to DeKalb County Jail records.

The officer said that the teen was reclined in the vehicle with a shirt and boxer shorts on, according to tweets by Fox 5's Portia Bruner, who reported from the tribunal hearing.

Police allegedly found electronic messages between them that hint at an inappropriate relationship, according to newly released court documents obtained by local media.

Although the tribunal advised that Sanders be fired, the final decision rests with the whole DeKalb County School Board.

The board's next meeting is Jan. 9, DeKalb schools spokeswoman Eileen Houston-Stewart told Patch.