LA VERNIA, Texas – The La Vernia Independent School District will temporarily be under the supervision of an interim superintendent after the school board granted a medical leave of absence for Dr. Trent Lovette on Monday.
"It has been difficult not to respond to the allegations made against me in recent weeks and throughout my tenure here in La Vernia ISD. Now that I have been cleared by the Department of Family and Protective Services that (the charges were) baseless and invalid allegations, I can finally have my say. While the temptation might lead me to lash out against those who work so diligently over the last 18 months to end my service here before it began I will not use this opportunity to do that. Instead, I choose this opportunity to focus on the date which allowed me to stay resolute in the face of vicious attacks against me," Lovette said in a statement.
Superintendent Dr. Trent Lovette makes a statement during tonight's special meeting at La Vernia ISD. pic.twitter.com/hj60SDshlS
— Japhanie Gray (@JGrayKSAT) October 1, 2019
Lovette, who remains under investigation, said the past 18 months after taken a toll on him both emotionally and physically.
RELATED: La Vernia cheerleader reported superintendent to police
"But far more important to me, they're taking a toll on the well-being of my wife, my sons and my family. I cannot and will not allow that to continue. My primary focus has been must now be on healing myself and my family," Lovette said.
Dr. Lovette is granted a medical leave of absence by the board of trustees. He asks for time as he says the last several months has taken a major toll on his health. @ksatnews pic.twitter.com/wgIguAA69S
— Japhanie Gray (@JGrayKSAT) October 1, 2019
Lovette, who was hired in March 2018, was placed on leave last November and then brought back to his position less than three weeks later despite a string of allegations of inappropriate behavior at work, according to records obtained by the KSAT 12 Defenders.
RELATED: As La Vernia ISD operates in secret, past allegations emerge against superintendent
A written timeline of the incidents was leaked to the Defenders that outline the allegations against Lovette.
In early September, Lovette was once again being investigated after a La Vernia High School cheerleader reported Lovette to a Sinton police officer at the stadium during a Friday night football game.
RELATED: La Vernia ISD school board to consider firing superintendent
"(The cheerleader) informed me she was touched inappropriately," the officer wrote in the police report.
While the school district said DFPS may have completed its investigation into the latest allegation, saying their finding was "ruled out," LVISD will continue to work with the police.
Dr. Toni Riester-Wood will now be the interim superintendent during Lovette's Medical Leave of Absence. All of this following an announcement stating the Texas Department of Family Services ruled out any wrong doing of Dr. Lovette. @ksatnews
— Japhanie Gray (@JGrayKSAT) October 1, 2019
Now, Dr. Toni Riester-Wood will serve as the interim superintendent during Lovette's medical leave of absence.
La Vernia ISD provided KSAT.com with a statement following Monday's meeting.
To read the full statement, scroll below.
