Teacher accused of having sex with student turns herself in

BRYANT, AR - A former Bryant High School english teacher accused of having sex with a 17-year-old student turned herself into authorities Wednesday. She was released from the Saline County Jail hours later after posting a $20,000 bond.

Police say 31-year-old Courtney Speer had sex with the student six times, twice at her Benton home and four times in the Bryant High School parking lot.

When asked about the accusations, parent April Conrad said, "if you're gonna be a teacher you're supposed to love the students, not that way."

Conrad has two children in the Bryant School District. She says despite the accusations against Speer, she thinks her children are safe and in a good school. Regardless though, Conrad says accusations of teachers having sex with students seem to come up everywhere, and she finds that disturbing.

"You're supposed to take care of them," Conrad said. "You're supposed to protect them. You're not supposed to take advantage of them like that."

Speer's lawyer declined to comment on the accusations, as did the Bryant School District.

Police say they're still looking into whether this is an isolated relationship or if other students are involved.

"At this point we don't know if there are others or not," said Sgt. Todd Crowson of the Bryant Police Department. "Investigators are looking into everything."

Speer resigned her teaching position Monday. She's scheduled to appear in district court in November.