Ehrenberg teacher arrested for sex crimes

Blythe, CA

Riverside County Sexual Assault Felony Enforcement (SAFE) Task Force, arrested Russell A. Williams, 45, a teacher at Ehrenberg Elementary School, on July 17, 2013. Williams, of Blythe, Calif., is facing Felony charges of lewd or lascivious acts with a minor under 14  and sending/possessing obscene matter.

Williams is the focus of a 

Special Meeting of the Quartzsite Elementary School 

(QES) District 4 Board tomorrow July 25, at 8 am

in Ehrenberg Elementary School. 

The board will decide to terminate Williams, as he allegedly violated A.R.S 15-550. “Unprofessional conduct of a teacher”.

Apparently Williams did not immediately report the arrest or charge to his supervisor, Jacque Price, QES Superintendent. School policy states an employee of the school "who is arrested for or charged with any nonappealable offense listed in ARS. 41-1758.03 (B) AND who does not immediately report the arrest or charge to the person's supervisor is guilty of unprofessional conduct and the person shall be immediately dismissed from employment..."

Williams taught 5th grade last year at the Ehrenberg School, according to Price. She stated, "He's been teaching long before I arrived and was dedicated to his students." 

When asked if there had been prior complaints, Price said, "every teacher has complaints, but there was no particular complaints of this nature."

The agenda appeared on the QES website, but parents complained of not seeing the posting in the usual locations in Quartzsite. Price told Desert Messenger she is short staffed at the present, so didn't post the "courtesy notice" of tomorrow's meeting agenda in Quartzsite as usual. She said she is only required to post the agenda on the school's website, which she said met the requirement of posting within 24 hours of the scheduled meeting.

UPDATE: QES Press Release issued Friday, July 26th:

During an open meeting held on Thursday, July 25, 2013, the Quartzsite Elementary School Governing Board voted to terminate  Ehrenberg Elementary School teacher, Russell A. Williams, after finding he was in violation of A.R.S. §15-550 and Governing Board policy GBEB. Mr. Williams was arrested on July 17, 2013, and failed to immediately contact his supervisor to notify her of the arrest.

If you have information regarding Mr. Williams, you may contact the Riverside County District Attorney's Office by calling 951-955-5400 or toll-free at 888-374-1235.  You may also contact Superintendent Jacque Price at 928-923-7900 or the La Paz County Sheriff's Office at 928-669-9560.  

Quartzsite Elementary School Free & Reduced-Price Meals policy

Quartzsite Elementary School District free and reduced-price meals policy

Quartzsite Elementary School District No. 4 has announced its policy for providing free and reduced-price meals for children served under the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program. Each school and/or the central office have a copy of the policy, which may be reviewed by any interested party.

The household size and income criteria will be used to determine eligibility for free and reduced-price benefits. Children from households whose income is at or below the guidelines are eligible for free or reduced-price meals. Children who are members of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) households, Cash Assistance (CA) units or Food Distribution Program on the Indian Reservation (FDPIR) households are automatically eligible for free meals. SNAP/CA families will be certified by the determining official via Direct Certification. Foster children who are the legal responsibility of a welfare agency or court may also be eligible for benefits regardless of the income of the household with whom they reside. Eligibility for the foster child is based on the child’s income.

Application forms are being distributed to all households with a letter informing households of the availability of free and reduced-price meals for their children. Applications also are available at the school secretary’s office in each school. To apply for free or reduced-price meals, households must fill out the application and return it to the school. The information households provide on the application will be used for the purpose of determining eligibility and verification of data. Applications may be verified at any time during the school year by school or other program officials.

For school officials to determine eligibility for free and reduced-price benefits, households receiving FDPIR only have to list their child’s name and FDPIR case number. An adult household member must sign the application. Households which do not list a FDPIR case number must list the names of all household members, the amount and source of the monthly income received by each household member, and the Social Security number of the adult household member who signs the application. If the household member signing does not have a Social Security number, he or she must indicate a Social Security number is not available. An adult household member must sign the application.

Under the provisions of the free and reduced-price policy, Renee King, food Services Manager, will review applications and determine eligibility. Parents or guardians dissatisfied with the ruling of the official may wish to discuss the decision with determining official on an informal basis. Parents wishing to make a formal appeal for a hearing on the decision may make a request either orally or in writing to Renee King, Food Services Manager, P.O. Box 130, Ehrenberg, Ariz. 85334, or call 928-923-7900.

If a household member become unemployed, or if the household size increases, the household should contact the school. Such changes may make the children of the household eligible for benefits if the household’s income falls at or below the levels.



Non-discrimination statement. This explains what to do if you believe you have been treated unfairly: “In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call 800-795-3272 or 202-720-6382 (TTY). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.”