Local
Melissa ISD dismisses bus driver after McKinney arrest; district says no student link is known
Melissa ISD says it fired bus driver Phillip Gates after his arrest in McKinney on suspicion of possessing child sexual abuse material. The district says it has no information connecting the case to students but is reviewing relevant information with law enforcement.
Melissa ISD has fired bus driver Phillip Gates, 60, after he was arrested in McKinney on suspicion of possessing child sexual abuse material, the district said Thursday.
Gates was arrested Tuesday by the McKinney Police Department, according to court records. He was released from the Collin County Jail Wednesday after posting $100,000 bond. An arrest is an allegation, not a finding of guilt.
In a letter to families, Melissa ISD Police Chief Chris Fontana said the district currently has no information linking the case to Melissa ISD students. The district said it dismissed Gates after learning of the arrest and is reviewing relevant information while communicating with local law enforcement to determine whether further steps are needed to support student safety.
The district encouraged students or parents with concerns to contact law enforcement or district administration. McKinney police had not released details about the investigation or circumstances of the arrest as of Thursday.