Texas School News

LORENA, Texas (AP) — At least 17 students and staff on a Central Texas school bus have been hurt when the vehicle and a dump truck collided head-on.
The accident happened Monday afternoon on an Interstate 35 access road near Lorena. Authorities are trying to determine what caused the crash between a Bruceville-Eddy Independent School District bus and the truck.

A spokesman for Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center in Waco says 15 students and one adult who were on the bus were treated and released. Adam Price says the woman driving the bus remained hospitalized Tuesday. Her name and further details on her condition weren't released.

Lorena police Chief Tom Dickson earlier said the bus driver had to be extricated from the vehicle.

Officials say the dump truck driver wasn't hurt.
LAREDO, Texas (AP) — Federal prosecutors say a veteran South Texas teacher has been charged with swapping child pornography online.

Investigators say 53-year-old Jorge Valadez remains in custody without bond pending a detention hearing Thursday in Laredo. He's charged with receipt and distribution of child pornography.

Valadez teaches English at United South High School in Laredo in the United Independent School District. Assistant Superintendent David Garcia says Valadez could be put on administrative leave with pay but that action had not been taken as of Tuesday. Garcia says administrators first want to discuss the case with school attorneys.

Valadez, who's been with the district since 1994, allegedly used a computer at his home to send and receive sexually explicit videos of children. Search warrants were carried out Friday night and Valadez was arrested.