Derby High teacher arrested on drug and child misconduct charges, officials say

A 29-year-old Derby High School teacher was arrested Monday at the school, officials said.

He was taken into custody on suspicion of drug-related charges, endangering a child and encouraging a child to commit a traffic infraction, officials said.

He remained in Sedgwick County Jail as of around noon Tuesday, records show.

The drug charges are distributing or possessing marijuana with intent to distribute within 1,000 feet of a school, with an amount between 25-450 grams, possession of marijuana and use or possession of drug paraphernalia.

The suburban school district south of Wichita said the man is an English teacher in his first year at Derby High. He was placed on immediate suspension, DHS principal Gretchen Pontious said in a letter sent Monday night to parents and caretakers.

Derby Police Chief Brandon Russell said the man was arrested at 3:10 p.m. Citing an ongoing investigation, he would not answer other details about what allegedly happened.

“We were notified by the school on information they had received and we began our investigation, which is on-going,” he said.

The Wichita Eagle does not identify suspects before they are charged.