GREGG COUNTY, Texas (KETK) — A former East Texas elementary school teacher pleaded guilty on Monday to four counts of injury to a child causing bodily injury.

Cecilia Gregg, who reportedly had been working with the district since 2009, was charged with four counts for allegedly striking students with her hand.

In July 2022, six former J.L. Everhart employees were indicted for charges related to the mistreatment of elementary students:

  • Paula Hawkins Dixon, 58
  • Cassandra Renee James, 48
  • Linda Kaye Brown Lister, 61
  • Priscilla Johnson, 56
  • Cecilia Gregg, 57
  • Cynthia Telley, 56
Cecilia Gregg mugshot, Courtesy of Gregg County

Johnson was indicted for causing bodily injury to a child “by striking [them] with a shoe.” Dixon was indicted on three separate felony injury to a child charges. James and Lister were each indicted for endangering a child. Talley was indicted on seven counts of causing bodily injury to a child.

Longview ISD released a statement in 2022 addressing the allegations.

“District officials first reported concern to the authorities in October when evidence of student mistreatment surfaced,” according to the release. “The District immediately removed the offending employees, contacted the parents, and began an open and active line of communication with the Longview Police Department and the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.”

Gregg, Dixon and Talley were reportedly “released from employment,” from the district in October 2021. James and Lister resigned in lieu of termination. Johnson, “a teacher who frequented the classroom,” resigned.

The district reached a $2.5 million settlement with 10 families of the children who were reportedly abused at the elementary school.

According to a release from two East Texas attorneys, from at least August 2019 to October 2021, 10 children with special needs had been abused and discriminated by teachers and administrators at J.L. Everhart Elementary.

In October 2023, Paula Dixon pleaded guilty and was sentenced to eight years in prison for multiple counts of injury to a child. According to her indictment, Dixon reportedly forced children against a wall, struck them with a stick and pushed a child “with the knee of Defendant and by sitting on [the child.]”