Humphreys County schools director ‘consummated’ romantic relationship with teacher in his office, investigator finds
The Board of Education will discuss the investigator’s findings at a meeting on May 28.
HUMPHREYS COUNTY, Tenn. (WSMV) - The director of Humphreys County schools did not stalk or sexually harass a teacher but did “consummate” their relationship in his office, an independent investigation found.
According to a copy of the investigation obtained by WSMV4 Investigates, director Richard Rye was accused by Mollye Guarr, a 7th-grade math teacher at Waverly Junior High School, of sexual harassment and stalking.
The district then hired Attorney Robert Wheeler Jr. to conduct an independent investigator.
Wheeler found that there was no evidence of stalking or sexual harassment, as multiple emails, texts and other communication indicated the two had a consensual relationship.
“The Hearing Officer (investigator) found and concluded that Mrs. Guarr failed to prove her complaint of sexual harassment and stalking by clear and convincing evidence and that the relationship between her, and the Director of Schools was a romantic relationship of mutual consent,” wrote John Williams, attorney for the Board of Education, in an email to WSMV4 Investigates.
According to the investigation, on October 7, 2023, “their romantic relationship was consummated in Mr. Rye’s office at the Board of Education offices.”
The investigation also found that the relationship ended when Guarr’s husband discovered communication between the two.
According to Wheeler, Rye and Guarr met at the uni-sex bathroom at Lowes, and Guarr’s husband photographed Rye leaving the store.
An attorney for the board of education told WSMV4 Investigates that the findings from the investigation will be discussed at the board’s meeting on May 28th.
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