Former Gainesville teacher accused of inappropriate behavior in Aurora

     A public school educator with ties to the Twin Lakes Area is being investigated for inappropriate behavior. According to the Ozark County Times and the Springfield News-Leader, Aurora fifth grade science and social studies teacher Jessica Rapert is accused of engaging in the acts with at least one high school student, and her husband, Aurora High School Principal Pat Rapert, has resigned from his duties. Both individuals are former employees of the Gainesville R-V School District.
     In addition to her duties at the intermediate school, Jessica Rapert also worked at Aurora High School as the junior class sponsor and assistant coach of the softball and girls' basketball programs. Aurora Superintendent Travis Shaw says information uncovered during an initial inquiry led to the district notifying the Aurora Police Department, and the investigation is underway. In addition, she was placed on paid administrative leave on January 5th.
     Shaw says the district did not want Pat Rapert to resign, but he chose to for personal reasons. The Aurora superintendent adds the former Gainesville High School principal and boys' basketball coach was not accused of wrongdoing and was not under investigation. Pat Rapert was hired by the Aurora R-VIII School District two years as the high school assistant principal and athletic director, and he was promoted to the principal's position this school year.
     Shaw told the Springfield News-Leader Pat Rapert's resignation was accepted by the board last Tuesday, and it became effective Thursday. A search will be launched to find his successor, and a substitute teacher has taken over Jessica Rapert's classes.