Teacher posts bond

McCAMEY McCamey High School teacher Vanessa Zuniga was released Wednesday from the Upton County Jail on a $5,000 bond, Upton County Sheriff Dan Brown said.

Zuniga was charged Tuesday with having an improper relationship between an educator and a student, a second-degree felony. Brown said Zuniga is being investigated for a relationship with an 18-year-old male McCamey High School student who has not been identified.

Deputy Sheriff Todd Helms said Zuniga, a 34-year-old high school English teacher, turned herself in to the Upton County Sheriff's Office Tuesday after being notified by authorities they had obtained a warrant for her arrest.

Second-degree felony charges carry punishments of two to 20 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine upon conviction.

Superintendent Donny Wiley said Tuesday that Zuniga submitted a resignation letter Dec. 30 and that it took effect Friday.

Wiley said Wednesday that he hadn't heard of any possible wrongdoings by Zuniga when she submitted her resignation letter. It wasn't until after she left that he began hearing the rumors.

"I might have (various individuals) come in and say ‘I heard this...,'" Wiley said, adding that not everyone identified themselves. "Some do and some don't."

Wiley cited privacy issues for not revealing the names of sources.

The resignation letter

December 30, 2008

Dear Mr. Wiley:

Please accept this letter as my resignation from the position of ELA teacher from McCamey Independent School District effective January 2, 2008.

I have truly enjoyed working for you and the students of McCamey ISD.

As a Badger, I wish continued success for you and the students of McCamey ISD

Sincerely,

Vanessa Zuniga