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James Rencher, a teacher at East Wake High School, has been charged with 12 counts of assaulting a person with a disability. The allegations were first reported to Principal Stacey Alston by three staff members in October 2022, but it took 19 months before law enforcement was notified.

Parents call for Wake principal's resignation after alleged abuse went unreported for 19 months

<p>Lawyers for a Wake County teacher accused of abusing Children with special needs. Asked the court for more time today, James Rencher is now due in court in October. That's when a trial date could be set. Rencher faces 12 counts of assaulting students with disabilities at East Wake High School. In 2022 law enforcement only began investigating the alleged abuse after concerned parents frustrated with lack of transparency from the Wake County school district came to Wrls Keeley Arthur. Today she has new documents showing school leaders were aware of the allegations of abuse for more than a year before they were thoroughly investigated inside an East Wake High Classroom were some of our communities most vulnerable non speaking students just in hell. And Christian King at school educators were their protectors. And according to emails and letters recently leaked only to WRL within weeks of the 2022 fall semester, three educators reported teacher James had yelled, pushed and shoved students in his classroom. These reports went virtually unaddressed for 19 months. The ball was dropped somewhere. Wake County Schools superintendent, Doctor Robert Taylor, are you investigating the way in which this was handled? I want to say to every parent and every person that's listening, that our number one duty is to make sure that our students are safe uh that we have the proper procedures in procedures which include state law requiring school principals to report assaults on school grounds. Is it up to a principal to decide whether or not they report abuse to law enforcement? I mean, it's mandatory reporting is not optional reporting. Let's go back to October 17th 2022. That's when a teacher here at East Wake emailed Principal Stacy also and saying quote, I saw James Wrencher kick an exercise ball from under Justin. Justin fell to the floor. I want to bring this to your attention. I know teachers are mandated reporters. Five minutes later, Principal Austin emailed back saying quote, thanks for letting us know, but parents and law enforcement confirmed to me they were never notified. I wanted to know why. So we paid Principal Alston a visit. No answer. Same story for the four emails we sent him asking if he investigated the situation and if he did what he found that invalidated the claims this spring, a letter signed by a district administrator and copied to Principal Alston told Justin's mother the allegations were investigated and addressed. Adding that Rancher went to a different school in the district. You heard that right? James Rancher moved to a middle school in Fuqua Arena where he continued teach for more than a year. But after WRL reported on anonymous letters the parents received alleging abuse and the lack of criminal investigation, the Wake County Sheriff's office got involved and arrested James Rancher with 12 counts of assault. What's Stacy Austin's employment status? With the district? Again, a specific employee can't really talk about i with all due respect. You're really not saying much the ball was dropped. We have records showing that. What can you tell families right now? What I can tell you, uh delays and tremendous delays. Uh That's, it's really not acceptable. I personally think you should be fired. You're saying that to the principal, the principal should, in my opinion, should be let go. He needs to resign or do something else out of the school system. You are not a leader of a school by no means. And we do want to mention that Doctor Robert Taylor didn't become the superintendent of the school district until a year after those abuse allegations occurred. I talked to James Rencher before his arrest. He and his lawyer deny all allegations. We checked on principal Austin's employment status as of last check, it is active and you can watch my full interview with the superintendent right now on our website or our youtube channel.</p>

East Wake High School

WRAL Investigates allegations of abuse inside a classroom

The campus of East Wake High School is shown.

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Flooding risk 

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Yellow jackets build more nests underground due to lack of food source during drought

Recent drought leads to rise in yellowjackets buzzing beneath the surface

Yellowjackets, wasps, insects, wildflowers

Tuesday, July 23, 2024 -- Democrats are eager for Kamala Harris to deploy lines of attack that come more naturally than they did for President Biden, including on issues like abortion rights and the rule of law.

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How Kamala Harris Will Try to Put Trump on Defense

In Durham, cars were submerged in water and a truck was stuck in a sinkhole as storms caused flooding.

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Truck stuck in Durham sinkhole along Chapel Hill Boulevard

The Democratic-majority NC State Board of Elections said its decision to deny Cornel West's Justice For All Party was based on legal concerns. Republicans say it's really just about politics. Now GOP lawmakers are seeking sworn testimony on what happened.

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A man and woman were found dead at a Johnston County home on Sunday.

Couple found dead in burning Johnston County home

A man broke into a Knightdale business, escaped with a few hundred dollars in cash and caused thousands of dollars worth of damage to some of the store's most expensive merchandise.

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Knigthdale break-in

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper spoke with President Joe Biden and VP Kamala Harris on Sunday, he told the hosts of MSNBC's Morning Joe Monday as rumors swirl about whether Harris could pick him as her vice presidential running mate for the 2024 presidential election. 

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Gov. Cooper makes remarks at NC Democratic fundraiser

Monday marked the fourth straight day of cancellation chaos at Raleigh-Durham International Airport after a faulty cybersecurity update took down computers around the world on Friday.

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Two women in Durham are recovering after being struck by a pickup truck while cycling this weekend, highlighting the need for improved cyclist safety measures like dedicated bike lanes with flexible posts.

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Hillsborough police arrested and charged two people involved ina custody dispute that turned violent Monday.

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A change in the jet stream has changed our weather from dreadful heat and drought to daily deluges.

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How the weather has changed from heat to flooding recently

With Vice President Kamala Harris being eyed as a potential replacement for President Joe Biden on the Democratic ticket, her stances on key issues will be scrutinized by both parties and the nation's voters.

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GalaxyCon Raleigh is more than a comic-con! It's a four-day festival of fandom with celebrities, artists, writers, voice actors, cosplayers, entertainers, creators, wrestlers, fan groups, panelists and people like you. Enjoy this event at the Raleigh Convention Center.

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Main exhibit floor inside the Raleigh Convention Center

Triangle Food Guy Sean Lennard has details about new restaurants opening in the Triangle.

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Meteorologist Chris Michaels says it isn't just your mind playing tricks. Thunder can sound louder at night.

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Here are five ideas for spending the day or weekend in the Wilmington area without going to the actual beach.

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The weather has changed its tone within the past week or so. A change in the jet stream has changed our weather from dreadful heat and drought to daily deluges.

Bodycam: Woman apologizes and ducks down seconds before deputy shoots, kills her

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In Depth with Dan: Gov. Roy Cooper on 'short list' of possible VP picks

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Local News

Golf cart shortage at Sanford Municipal Golf Course after lightning strike 

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Nation/World

Israeli government quietly sends millions to unauthorized West Bank settler outposts

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Biden drops out of presidential race as Harris works to secure Democratic nomination

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State and local governments spend hundreds of millions of dollars each year on studies, research projects, and consultants. However, not all of these projects pay off.

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The scammers convinced a Raleigh woman to withdraw $15,000 from her bank account and deposit it in a Bitcoin ATM.

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WRAL Investigates one of the most expensive city projects that went nowhere.

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Project 2025 outlines a massive overhaul of the federal government. Donald Trump and North Carolina Republicans are distancing themselves from the 922-page plan. Democrats in Raleigh are warning voters about it. 

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