Union County teacher on leave after reported threat toward VP Pence

UNION COUNTY, N.C. — A Union County teacher is under investigation for threatening comments she reportedly made about U.S. Vice President Mike Pence.

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The district said the teacher works at Cuthbertson High School. Channel 9 has learned she is now on administrative leave while the district investigates.

The comments were made the same week Pence was in Union County making one last push for Dan Bishop in the District 9 Congressional race.

Theresa Grovanz's son recently graduated from Cuthbertson.

“Especially as a teacher, you can’t justify saying that, especially to a group of kids,” Grovanz said.

Channel 9 has learned students have been interviewed as part of this process, and there may be some conflicting accounts of what was actually said.

The Union County Sheriff’s Office said the comment was referred to the Secret Service.

Channel 9 reached out to board members who said they're waiting on the outcome of the Secret Service investigation before they take any action.

Statement from Union County Public Schools:

"Union County Public Schools is taking the alleged inappropriate comments made by a Cuthbertson High School teacher very seriously. Upon learning about the alleged comments, the teacher was immediately placed on administrative leave last week and there is an ongoing investigation into this matter. The Secret Service is aware of the reported comments made by the teacher. In addition, this is a personnel matter and information related to the investigation is protected by law."

Cox Media Group