The teaching contract for former Frankfort High School Math Teacher Drew Akridge was cancelled effective immediately in a special Community Schools of Frankfort Board Meeting held at 6pm Monday evening April 14.
Drew Akridge was arrested by Frankfort Police Department this afternoon. Frankfort Superintendent Dr. Matt Rhoda explained prior to the vote that per Indiana Code 20-28-7.5-2 and Indiana Code 20-28-7.5-4 that when an employee is served notice to cancel his or her contract, that individual has 5 days to submit a written request to meet for an appeal. Rhoda explained that since no written request to meet was requested by midnight Saturday, the action became final and contract was cancelable subject to a school board vote.
Dr. Rhoda explained, “Because the board is part of the appeal process, the board cannot have any details shared with them about the incident other than an incident happened and they may be a part of the appeal process.”
Rhoda continued, “I know the board members get asked what they know about the case when they are out in the community and that is wonderful to have that open door but in a due process right for the employee, the board has to be ready to go into an appeal meeting with an unbiased opinion on the case. This is why in these cases where a contract cancellation is in the midst of an appeal process, the district has to refrain from making communications specific to the case to the public. The district has a responsibility to follow the legal requirements of the appeal process. Members of the board on April 7th 2025 received notice I served Drew Akridge, math teacher at Frankfort High School with notice of my preliminary decision to cancel his teacher contract, effective immediately upon decision of the school board. I have provided the school board with a copy of my preliminary decision for your review which contains the reasons for my preliminary decision as well as outlines Mr. Akridge’s due process rights to challenge my preliminary decision.”
The Board moved, seconded and passed unanimously 7-0 to accept Dr. Rhoda’s preliminary decision to cancel Mr. Akridge’s teacher contract, effective immediately.
With respect to the Frankfort Police Department arrest earlier released by the Frankfort Police Department reported by Clinton County Daily News in a story filed by Carl Ginerich:
An investigation into alleged inappropriate communication between a teacher and a student at Frankfort High School led to the arrest of a Frankfort math teacher today, April 14.
On Friday, April 4, the Frankfort Police Department presented a lecture on cyber awareness at Frankfort High School for the students, which resulted in a report regarding alleged inappropriate communication between a teacher and a student. The department reported that later that afternoon, officers were contacted by officials with Frankfort High School that a student revealed inappropriate communication between a teacher and a student, which prompted detectives and the Crime Scene Investigator to immediately respond.
Today, April 14, detectives and a crisis negotiator reportedly attempted to arrest Drew Akridge, 27, of Frankfort on a probable cause arrest at a location in Lafayette. The negotiator reportedly talked to Akridge who was believed to be in a house in the 2000 Block of South Beck Lane.
Reports state that Akridge initially did not exit the house, and an arrest warrant was filed and approved. Once the negotiator told Akridge that the department had an arrest warrant, he reportedly exited the home and was placed into custody.
The Clinton County Prosecutor has filed one count of dissemination of matter harmful to minors and one count of attempt to commit possession of child pornography, both level 6 felonies. Akridge was transported to jail on a no bond warrant.
“I want to thank our detectives who worked diligently, professionally and accurately during this investigation,” Chief Scott Shoemaker said. “Coming forward to report crimes like this are not easy, but we encourage all potential victims to report any possible criminal behavior regarding this teacher.”
The investigation is ongoing, and no further information is available as of today, April 14 at 5:30 p.m.
All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.