An Alamance-Burlington schools teacher has been arrested on sex-related charges involving a student.

Derrick E Covington

Derrick E. Covington, age 32, is charged with solicitation to commit sexual activity with a student by a teacher and indecent liberties.  Both charges are felonies.

Covington was given a $150,000 secured bond and was taken to the Alamance County Jail.

Burlington police were tipped off by staff at Cummings High School of possible inappropriate contact between a student and a teacher who was working at the high school. The tip led to a police investigation which resulted in charges being filed.

Covington was employed as an eighth-grade language arts teacher at Broadview Middle from 2018 to 2019. In addition, Covington also has volunteered with the joint band program for Broadview Middle and Cummings high schools and in 2005 was a daycare assistant at Andrews Elementary School.

According to the state licensure records, Covington holds license number 1226008 in the area of “Permit to Teach” which was issued in July of 2018 and expires June 30, 2019.

After notification of his arrest, the City of Burlington Recreation and Parks Department fired Covington from a part-time position he had held.

Alamance-Burlington Schools indicated that Covington is no longer employed by the district.

The safety, security, and well-being of all children in our care is our district’s highest priority. It is our expectation that every adult in every school adheres to our professional code of conduct that honors the unique, special bond of trust between students and teachers,” said a statement from Alamance-Burlington Schools.

The statement said the district “continues to work closely with law enforcement” on the matter and asks anyone with information to contact Burlington Police at 336-229-3500.

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