.cat-links { display: none !important; }

Tri-West coach facing child seduction terminated

Tri-West coach facing child seduction terminated

By Gus Pearcy

The North West Hendricks School Board terminated Tri-West teacher and coach Tyler Bruce amid charges he had an inappropriate relationship with a student.

In a special meeting held March 18, the board took action and voted unanimously to terminate Bruce. The former Tri-West football coach is facing three Level 6 felonies for child seduction and obstructing justice. There was one abstention from the vote, Bruce’s uncle, Brad Williams.

District spokeswoman Donna Petraits said the board began the statutory process to terminate Bruce back in January when the charges were announced.

“At that point, Mr. Bruce chose to exercise his due process rights and request a meeting with the superintendent, followed by a conference with the school board,” Petraits said. “Mr. Bruce was not terminated after his first hearing because the board wanted the professionals at the law enforcement agencies to review the situation.”

The investigation by the Hendricks County Sheriff’s Office took eight months to complete after which the prosecutor charged Bruce. Petraits said Bruce chose to exercise his contractual right to due process and met with the superintendent. The meeting was followed by a conference with the board March 17, as required by Indiana law.

“We are hopeful the finality of this decision will allow the district to move forward with new leadership under new superintendent Dr. Scott Syverson,” Petraits said.

The board also hired a new superintendent, Scott Syverson in the same meeting.

The Indiana Department of Education is in the process of revoking Bruce’s license. The state is also looking to suspend the licenses of Tri-West High School dean of students Stacey Begle and athletic director Nathan Begle for two years. Former principal Adam Benner is facing a suspension for three years. He also has been criminally charged for failing to report the activity, a Class B misdemeanor. The Begles have not been criminally charged, however they have been suspended with pay from the district.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *