Substitute under investigation for ‘inappropriate contact’ with Pasco student
A substitute paraeducator at Ray Reynolds Middle School is under criminal investigation for alleged “inappropriate contact” with a student.
Reynolds administrators became aware of the allegations on Wednesday and immediately contacted law enforcement, according to a Thursday letter sent to families. The letter said the substitute no longer works for the district.
“Pasco School District is cooperating fully with law enforcement during the ongoing investigation and providing support to students, families, and staff throughout this process,” the letter read.
“If true, these allegations represent a breach of trust and a disappointing departure from the standards we hold for all district employees. The safety and well-being of our students is the highest priority of our schools and district staff,” it continued.
Details surrounding the incident and the worker’s identity have not yet been released.
The school district declined to provide additional details, citing the “ongoing nature of the investigation.” Staff directed media inquiries to the Pasco Police Department.
“This is an active investigation, and we are not at a point where we are ready to release information,” police Lt. Thomas Groom told the Tri-City Herald.
Paraeducators are school employees who work under a teacher’s supervision to help in classrooms or give extra help to students.
Reynolds Middle School is west of Road 68 in Pasco at 9507 Burns Road. More than 1,300 students are enrolled there. The school has about 70 teachers.
It’s one of the district’s newer schools that opened to staff and students in fall 2020.
Thursday was the Pasco district’s last day of the 2025-26 school year. Students and staff were released early for the summer.
This story was originally published June 11, 2026 at 5:46 PM.
