Local

High school band director resigns after investigation into inappropriate text messages

ATLANTA — Channel 2 Action News has learned that a local high school band director has resigned after school police say he sent inappropriate text messages to a student.

Channel 2 investigative reporter Richard Belcher has also learned that band director is also now facing a state investigation that could cost him his teaching certificate.

William Earvin graduated from Atlanta's Mays High School in 1995 and returned in 2007 to take over when the previous director retired after 26 years.

Now Earvin is gone because of suspected misconduct involving a student.

Channel 2 Actions News has obtained a letter that outlines at least part of the story.

Earlier this month, Atlanta Public Schools notified the state agency that disciplines educators that a school detective had learned, "Mr. Earvin sent inappropriate text messages to an 11th-grade student."

"Given the nature of the charges, Mr. Earvin resigned," the letter continued.

Belcher went to the former band director's home in southwest Atlanta on Thursday, but it appeared that no one had been there for several days, and so far have not been able to track him down to get his side of the story.

APS is offering very few details about the incident to include whether the student was male or female.

The Mays marching band has been racking up honors for years.

The school website said the band took part in the parade celebrating Atlanta's selection as the 1996 Olympics site and has participated in homecomings and halftime shows for nearly a dozen colleges and universities.

According to the band's website, some of Earvin's students have played in the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra and the Mays Jazz Orchestra won the Atlanta Jazz Festival Youth Competition this year and last.