The Clanton Advertiser

A Thorsby School employee was placed on administrative leave Tuesday pending further investigation, according to Chilton County Schools Superintendent Dave Hayden and Thorsby Principal Russ Bryan.

Stephen C. Pounders, band director at Thorsby School, could not be reached for comment Friday about his suspension.

Thorsby Police Chief Rodney Barnett said his department’s investigation into Pounders is about the improper use of cameras at the school.

“It was brought to my attention that there had been school board policies broken by a teacher at the high school, and that led to an open police investigation,” Barnett said. “We’re trying to determine whether there was any criminal activity. I can’t say at this point whether there was or there wasn’t.”

Hayden said there have been no related issues in the past but declined to comment further.

Managing Editor Stephen Dawkins contributed to this story.