Franklin County Teacher resigns after allegations of sexual misconduct with a student

By MJ Kneiser, WLHR

The Franklin County School Board has accepted the resignation of High School teacher James Hindman, Jr after an investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct with female high school students.

Additionally, the School also filed a complaint with the Georgia Professional Standards Commission.

The Complaint cites two main violations – that Hindman lied on his initial application and sexual misconduct with multiple students.

School superintendent Chris Forrer said filing the complaint was required.

He said quote, “the Georgia Professional Standards Commission outlines, any time we know there’s been a breach of ethics we have to file a complaint. We received a tip and we immediately contacted the Sheriff’s department and launched an investigation. And when we had reached a point where we felt there had been a breach of the professional standards we filed a complaint,” end quote.

In a copy of the complaint obtained by WLHR News, attached were pages of copies of texts allegedly sent by Hindman to female students.

One of the texts talked about meeting with a female student and not getting caught and at one point telling the student quote, “innocent until proven guilty.”

To which the student replies, “right” and Hindman texted back, quote “Heavy on the proven part” and “all my proof gets deleted or goes away.” end quote.

In other texts Hindman talks about his wife being paranoid, suggesting she might suspect he’s cheating on her and at another point telling a student that, quote “humans were not meant to have one partner.’

In another text, Hindman tells a student that he quote, “used to get into so much trouble for this at North Springs” end quote.

North Springs is North Springs High School in Fulton County. Hindman continued it was because he had students there coming to his home when they were in trouble.

Forrer tells WLHR News in doing some follow up with schools where Hindman previously worked, he found he had also lied on his application, stating he had never been fired or reprimanded for misconduct.

The Franklin County School Board accepted his resignation on January 16. No charges have yet been filed against Hindman. Franklin County Sheriff Steve Thomas said Monday, the case is still under investigation.