Just a few months into her job as Superintendent of Espanola Public Schools, Holly Martinez, has her first controversy to resolve.
Why did the school system not notify law enforcement or find cause after investigating rumors of an inappropriate relationship between a female teacher and a 16-year-old male student when last week on Tuesday, June 14, the police arrested and charged the teacher with two felonies?
High school teacher, Makana Masacayan, 26 years old, has been charged with two felonies for alleged sexual abuse of a 16-year-old student. New Mexico State Police investigated the incidents that reportedly extended back to February of 2022. The school district has admitted investigating rumors of the relationship and has said it “ruled the rumors to be false due to claims by the teacher her Instagram account was hacked.”
The district’s offices have also admitted it did not “notify law enforcement.” The state police became involved after the student told his probation officer of his involvement with the teacher. The probation officer than went to the boy’s parents with the boy’s claims and the parents contacted police.
The Rio Grande Sun has contacted the school district’s office to ask about this important discrepancy. Obviously, the teacher has not been found guilty of any crime, just charged but the looming question is whether or not the school district dropped the ball on an important investigation. The district will likely continue to shield information on the investigation because it involves a “personnel issue,” but the public has a right to know the details of the investigation. In the meantime, the Rio Grande Sun will continue to press the superintendent and district for answers.