A former Wake County Public Schools teacher who worked with special education students is now facing abuse charges related to two former students.

JAMES RENCHER

Name: James Rencher, III
Age: 58
Charge(s): 12 counts of assault on an individual with a disability (Class A1 Misdemeanor)
Charge Type(s): (View Sentencing Chart)
Arrest Date: Turned himself in on 6-28-24
Bond Details: $100,000, secured. Bonded out.

Victim /Case Details: 

The Wake County Sheriff’s Office investigated after receiving information possible abuse had happened to two special education students in 2022 at East Wake High School.

The alleged victims are Justin Hemphill and Christian King, Both boys were non-verbal special education students.

See the warrant for specific details of the alleged abuse.

District: Wake County Public Schools
Current Role: None – resigned.
History: Nov. 2022 – April 2024 Herbert Akins Middle School.
Employment status: Resigned when the district began investigating him for abuse.

Statement from District: 

WCPSS is aware of the criminal charges that have been filed against former employee, James Rencher, and the school system has cooperated fully with law enforcement’s investigation.

NC Teacher License Information: 

License Number: 1221519
Name: Rencher , James III
License Type: Educator
License Status: Current
Expiration Date: 06/30/2024
Effective Date: 07/01/2021
License Area(s): Exceptional Children: Adapted Curriculum (K-12)

Additional Information

Rencher has multiple past court records for speeding.
79 in a 70 (2023) Wake County
50 in a 45 (2019) Wake County
74 in a 65 (2020) Durham County

Updates

Per WRAL, parents are calling for the resignation of Stacy Alston, the principal East Wake High School, over the fact it took the school 19 months to report Rencher to law enforcement after at least three staff members had reported his conduct to Alston in 2022.

A Sept. 10 report by WRAL revealed Rencher has been working as a substitute teacher in Durham Public Schools since his departure from Wake County schools.

“Employment records show Rencher worked full-time at Neal Middle School in Durham from 2017 to 2019. He returned to Durham schools as a sub in July 2022,” per WRAL.

WRAL also reported, “Durham Public Schools kept him on call as a substitute teacher. Sources tell WRAL News that Rencher was spotted working at Riverside High School, teaching students with disabilities, as recently as last week.”

The WRAL article also says the spokesperson for Durham Public Schools said Rencher “had a background check before he was hired,” but that check was done before the abuse allegations and his arrest, implying the district did not repeat a background check on him prior to his being hired as a substitute. Durham Public Schools said he was “relieved of his substitute status” on Sept. 6.  The district apparently hired Rencher even though his teaching license was expired.

A second WRAL report published on Nov. 14, 2024, says Wake County Public Schools knew about Rencher’s abuse for at least 20 months before reporting him to police and that Rencher’s abuse was reported by five other teachers spanning multiple schools in the district.  Rencher had been allowed to resign from one school and be hired by another, a practice known as “passing the trash.”

During a Nov. 15, 2024 hearing, Rencher was found guilty of six counts out of the original 12 counts he was charged with for assaulting a person with a disability. He was sentenced to 12 months probation with a six month suspended sentence, meaning he can go to prison for six months if he has any type of violation.

Rencher also has to attend anger management therapy and is banned from teaching.

Once conviction paperwork from the court makes its way to the Department of Public Instruction, Rencher’s license will be revoked.

On Nov. 19, a federal lawsuit was filed against Wake County Public Schools Board of Education over Rencher’s abuse. For those with Pacer access, the case is 5:24-cv-00655-M-KS, C.K. v. Wake County Board of Education et al. The initial complaint can be viewed here.

As of the week of Thanksgiving 2024, a second federal lawsuit was filed against against the Wake County Public Schools Board of Education. For those with Pacer access, the case is 5:2024cv00678, H. et al v. Wake County Board of Education et al. The initial complaint can be viewed here.