US2 min(s) read
Published 14:45 14 May 2026 GMT
A young biology teacher allegedly had a number of illicit encounters with a student, one taking place inside a school closet.
Maris Nichols, 25, who was both a science teacher and the operations manager for the school’s football team, was arrested on two counts of sexual assault.
The charges against her have painted a predatory picture of a teacher who used her authority to coerce a vulnerable person.
Allegedly, Nichols initiated the first encounter in a cramped supply closet on April 23.
Then, the second incident occurred in May on a Douglasville driveway, where Nichols reportedly met the student inside a car.
As news of the arrest spread, frustration among the parent body sparked families of children who attend Alexander High School to raise a case of professional negligence against the school.
One parent suggested, "No biology was being taught."
Another added that the classroom has become a 'lawless zone,' saying: "My kid hasn't opened a textbook in a month.”
In a statement, a spokesperson for the Douglas County School System said: "The trust between a teacher and a student is sacred.
"That trust was not just broken here; it was demolished.
“Student safety is the district’s highest priority.
"The alleged behavior is unacceptable and violates the professional standards all employees are required to uphold.”
However, it is currently unknown if Nichols is still employed by the school.
Nichols, who is reportedly married with a daughter, has been released on a $40,000 bail, with strict conditions ruling that she cannot contact minors and is legally prohibited from setting foot on school property.
Upcoming court hearings will focus on whether school officials missed "red flags" in the biology classroom.
An anonymous parent told 11 Alive: “We’re not asking for special treatment. We are asking for transparency, accountability, and fairness.
“Unfortunately, our concerns have repeatedly been met with resistance, limited communication, and a lack of meaningful reassurance that appropriate measures are being taken to protect all children involved, including our own.”
