Shawnee superintendent faces second emergency license revocation amid decades-old allegations

Shawnee Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Aaron Espolt, is expected to challenge the Oklahoma State Board of Education (OSDE) on Thursday regarding the emergency revocation of his teaching license.

Espolt is under investigation for allegations dating back to his early days as a coach and teacher at Little Ax and Boone-Apache Public Schools from 2000 to 2005.

According to online court records, Espolt is accused of behaving inappropriately toward female students during this time. The allegations include claims of inappropriate sexual relationships with two female students. OSDE has described the allegations as “a pattern of inappropriate behavior toward female students.” Espolt is also accused of failing to report inappropriate behavior by two other teachers, Michael Allen and Shawn Finch, who have since lost their teaching licenses over similar allegations. The board revoked Allen’s license in September 2024, while Finch had previously surrendered his license. The teachers have not been charged or convicted of a crime.

Despite these serious allegations, Espolt denies any wrongdoing. In late September 2024, he filed a lawsuit seeking a temporary restraining order to prevent the board from suspending his license. Espolt’s attorney alleged in the lawsuit that OSDE’s application to revoke his permit did not include any documentation to substantiate the allegations. The lawsuit also noted that he was not contacted by police nor given due process as required by law.

If the board decides to revoke his license, it will mean the end of Espolt’s long career in education, which spans more than two decades.

Timeline of events

The timeline is derived from OSDE Records, Court Records, Shawnee Public Schools Publications and open documents related to his prior employment with several Oklahoma school districts.

• 2003: Dr. Aaron Espolt starts teaching. His license is valid until June 2028, according to OSDE.

• 2019: Epolt unexpectedly resigns as superintendent of Cleveland Public Schools, along with a resignation of speech therapist Sarah Allen, who was married to Michael Allen. Michael Allen is one of two teachers also accused of misconduct, along with Espolt.

• School year 2023-2024: Espolt becomes superintendent of Shawnee Public Schools. He was the assistant. superintendent & CFO for the district from 2021 until promotion.

• June 2024: OSDE investigator assigned to look into allegations that Espolt had a “pattern of inappropriate behavior and interactions with female students while employed as a coach at Little Ax Public Schools and then as a teacher at Boone-Apache Public Schools, according to court records.

• August 20, 2024: Espolt is made aware of an investigation by the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE). The allegations date back to 2000-2005, when Espolt worked at Little Ax and Boone-Apache schools.

• August 26, 2024: Shawnee Public School Board President Clif Harden informs parents that Espolt is on administrative leave due to an OSDE investigation. The letter indicates the details were not disclosed to the district, but the board stated it had no reason to believe the investigation relates to Espolt’s time at Shawnee.

Related coverage: https://www.news9.com/story/66ccf0200b04f4678ff1fe5d/shawnee-public-schools-superintendent-on-administrative-leave

• September 24, 2024: Espolt receives the board’s request to revoke his license, effective September 26. Espolt denies all allegations.

• September 25, 2024: Espolt’s legal team files for a temporary restraining order, claiming lack of due process and insufficient evidence. The lawsuit claims the allegations are “vague,” “salacious” and have no supporting documentation.

• September 26, 2024: The Oklahoma State Board of Education has filed the emergency suspension of Espolt’s certification and has opted to refer the matter to a revocation hearing officer for further investigation.

Related coverage: https://www.news9.com/story/66f62cca5329a9f84141cf8b/state-board-of-education-tables-emergency-suspension-of-shawnee-superintendent

• October 23, 2024: The Oklahoma State Board of Education’s postal agenda for the October 24 meeting. Espolt’s license is listed as an action item to consider and take possible action on the board’s amended application for an “emergency order” suspending the teacher’s certificate, certificate number and application for revocation. The agenda does not indicate whether Espolt’s case has been reviewed by a hearing officer.

Espolt remains on administrative leave and the Shawnee Public School District previously informed parents in the district that it would continue to cooperate with the investigation.

News 9 is following the hearing for the board’s decision.