School director accused of having sexual relationship with teacher in his office

HUMPHREYS COUNTY, Tenn. (WSMV/Gray News) - A debate continues in Humphreys County, Tennessee, regarding a relationship between the director of schools and a junior high school teacher.

WSMV reports that an investigation found that Humphrey’s County Schools Director Richard Rye had a romantic relationship with Mollye Guarr, a seventh-grade math teacher at Waverly Junior High School.

Investigators said Guarr originally accused Rye of sexual harassment and stalking, but through an independent investigation, those claims were unfounded.

The district hired Attorney Robert Wheeler Jr. to conduct the independent investigation.

“The director of Humphreys County schools did not stalk or sexually harass a teacher but did “consummate” their relationship in his office,” investigators shared.

According to Wheeler, the investigation found no evidence of stalking or sexual harassment, as multiple emails, texts, and other communication indicated, but the two did have a consensual relationship.

“The Hearing Officer (investigator) found and concluded that Mrs. Guarr failed to prove her complaint of sexual harassment and stalking by clear and convincing evidence and that the relationship between her, and the Director of Schools was a romantic relationship of mutual consent,” John Williams, an attorney for the Board of Education, wrote.

According to the investigation, on Oct. 7, 2023, “their romantic relationship was consummated in Mr. Rye’s office at the Board of Education offices.”

The investigation also found that the relationship ended when Guarr’s husband discovered communication between the two.

According to Wheeler, Rye and Guarr met at the unisex bathroom at an area Lowe’s store, and Guarr’s husband photographed Rye leaving the store.

An attorney for the board of education told WSMV that the findings from the investigation will be discussed at the board’s meeting scheduled on May 28.