Former City of Calhoun school district employees accused of having sex with students

CALHOUN, Ga. – Two former employees of the City of Calhoun School District have been indicted on charges of engaging in inappropriate sexual relationships with students.

Railey Greeson and Brooklyn Shuler were indicted on Thursday, July 10, 2024, in Gordon County on multiple counts of sexual contact by an employee or agent in the first degree. According to the indictment, these incidents took place between October 29, 2021, and January 3, 2022, during their employment with the City of Calhoun School District.

Allegations Against the Defendants

The indictment alleges that Greeson engaged in sexual conduct with two male students, while Shuler is accused of engaging in similar conduct with one male student. While the ages of the students have not been disclosed, the indictment emphasized that Greeson and Shuler “reasonably should have known” that the students were enrolled, violating Georgia Code 16-6-5.1(b), which prohibits school employees from engaging in sexual contact with students under their authority.

According to state employment records, Greeson worked in the school district’s after-school program, while Shuler served as a substitute teacher during the relevant period. Their positions placed them in direct contact with students, which is central to the charges being brought against them. Both women have been charged with first-degree sexual misconduct, a felony under Georgia law that applies to individuals in positions of authority, such as school employees, foster care parents, and jailers.

The Arrest and Bond Release

The Gordon County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that Greeson and Shuler were arrested on June 28, 2024, and were later released on bond. Robert Paris, the chief deputy sheriff of Gordon County, stated that the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) conducted the investigation, though the sheriff’s office had no direct involvement in the investigative process. Greeson and Shuler were released after posting bond, but neither they nor their attorneys have provided comments on the matter.

In a statement released by the GBI, it was noted that the case remains part of an ongoing investigation. The full records are currently unavailable due to the pending legal proceedings.

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Employment Records

Employment records from the Georgia state database provide additional background on both defendants. Greeson worked as an after-school program employee for the school district, earning $1,500 in the 2022 fiscal year. In fiscal year 2021, she earned approximately $2,800 in the same role, though there is no record of her employment with the district in 2020 or 2023.

Shuler’s employment history shows that she worked as a substitute teacher, earning $300 in fiscal year 2022 and over $3,800 in 2021. Similar to Greeson, there is no record of Shuler working for the school district in fiscal years 2019 or 2023.

Legal Context and Broader Implications

Under Georgia law, school employees are held to a strict standard regarding their interactions with students. Specifically, Georgia Code 16-6-5.1(b) forbids any form of sexual conduct between individuals in authority, such as school employees, and minors placed under their care. This law applies not only to teachers but also to a broader range of individuals in positions of power, including jailers, hospital workers, psychotherapists, and foster care parents.

The charges against Greeson and Shuler reflect the seriousness of these legal protections, as violations carry severe criminal penalties, including potential imprisonment and mandatory registration as sex offenders. These legal standards are in place to protect minors from abuse and exploitation, particularly by those entrusted with their care and education.

Pending Investigation

The investigation, led by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, remains ongoing. The GBI has declined to release further details, citing the active nature of the case. District Superintendent Michele Taylor did not respond to requests for comment on the situation.

As more information becomes available, updates will be provided to the public. For now, both Greeson and Shuler face serious legal consequences, with their future court dates expected to determine the outcome of this case.

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