Trinity Valley School board hires firm to investigate teacher’s child indecency allegations
The Trinity Valley School Board of Trustees has hired a third party to investigate allegations of indecent conduct with children by a former piano teacher who was arrested this week, officials said.
“The safety of our students is non-negotiable, and it is our role to cultivate an environment in which they feel secure, welcome and supported,” acting head of school Adam Wojtelwicz wrote in a letter to parents Tuesday.
T&M USA will review what happened leading to the termination of the accused teacher, Trent Muse, and the communication about his departure from the private school, according to the letter. Muse was employed by Trinity Valley during the 2022-23 school year.
Muse, 28, was arrested on Monday by Fort Worth police. Tarrant County court records show he faces five counts of indecency with a child by exposure.
School officials believe the charges are “related to incidents that reportedly happened while he gave piano instruction to TVS students while employed at the school,” Wojtelwicz wrote in Tuesday’s letter. “This news is deeply upsetting.”
On May 21, Trinity Valley School officials sent a letter to families saying they had received reports the previous week of misconduct by the teacher during the 2022-23 school year. The May letter didn’t specify what the behavior was or identify Muse by name.
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Muse cleared a background check and reference checks before he was hired, the letter said.
The head of Trinity Valley School, Blair Lowry, resigned from her position a few weeks later on June 5. The school did not say whether Lowry’s departure was planned.
In Tuesday’s letter, the acting head of school wrote that, “We can assure you that the lack of clarity from the school that was previously displayed is antithetical to our mission and does not exemplify the values we aim to instill in our students. You are right to expect openness and accountability from us and we will hold ourselves to greater transparency going forward.”
According to Tuesday’s letter, the school has offered resources and support to the affected families.
“Our focus remains on supporting our community as we move forward together,” Wojtelwicz said in the letter. “We are grateful for your support for one another and our shared community.”
Records showed Muse was in the Tarrant County Jail on Wednesday with bond set at $200,000. It’s not clear whether he has obtained an attorney.
