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Asst. principal had sex with girls at school, police say

CABARRUS COUNTY, NC (WBTV) - Police say a Charlotte man who is an assistant principal at a high school in Cabarrus County is accused of having sex with two female students.

Aaronson Joel Franks, 37, is the assistant principal at Central Cabarrus High School.

According to the Concord Police Department, Franks allegedly had sexual contact with two female students, one of which was under the age of 16.

The alleged illegal conduct took place on school property, police said in a written statement released Thursday afternoon.

Franks is charged with one count of statutory rape, two counts of statutory sexual offense, three counts of sexual activity with student by administrator, one count of taking indecent liberties with a student, and four counts of indecent liberties with children.  

According to the Cabarrus County Sheriff Department's website, his bond has been set at $60,000.

Franks appeared in court on March 1, opting to choose his own representation for the pending lawsuit.

Cabarrus County Schools has suspended Franks with pay pending the results of an investigation.

"We are deeply troubled by these allegations," said Superintendent Barry Shepherd. "Cabarrus County Schools is committed to protecting our students and to investigating all claims of inappropriate behavior."

Information about Franks was removed from the school's website, but cached information available on the website Google revealed his biography and a photo.

Franks joined CCHS at the beginning of the 2005-06 school year, the website said.

He began his teaching career as a technology education teacher.  He taught 3 years in Winchester, Virginia; 5 years in Pembroke Pines, Florida; and 2 years in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, the website said.

A spokesperson for Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools said Franks was employed with the district from Aug. 12, 2002 to Feb. 18, 2005 as a Career and Technical Education teacher at John Taylor Williams Middle School.

After leaving CMS, Franks served one year as assistant principal at W.C. Friday Middle School in Dallas, NC.  He was there from Feb. 21, 2005 to Aug. 21, 2005, according to Gaston County Schools spokeswoman Bonnie Reedy.

Franks obtained his Bachelor of Science degree from NC A&T State University and his Master of School Administration degree from Gardner-Webb University, according to the CCHS website.

"Mr. Franks is serving as our special needs administrator, attendance coordinator, and 10th and 11th (A-M) grade discipline," the website said. "Mr. Franks also supervises textbooks, athletics, parking, lunch duty, and is the safe schools coordinator."