BURLINGTON, N.C. — UPDATE: The Alamance-Burlington School System told WFMY News 2 that Tang has been suspended with pay. The school district said he was hired as a substitute on Aug. 6, 2014, and then was hired as a teacher at Turrentine Middle School on Aug. 19, 2019. Tang was placed on suspension with pay on Dec. 13, 2024.
A teacher at Turrentine Middle School has been arrested and charged with assaulting a student on school property.
The Burlington Police Department reported that on Thursday, Dec. 12, they received allegations that Derek Tang, 50, physically assaulted a student at the school.
Following an investigation, Tang was charged with one count of Simple Assault. Authorities confirmed that the incident appears isolated, and no other students were involved.
The Alamance-Burlington School System (ABSS) promptly reported the incident to law enforcement upon receiving the information and stated it cooperates fully with the ongoing investigation.
Tang was arrested on Monday and transported to the Alamance County Detention Center. He was issued a $1,500 secured bond. Police noted that no photograph of Tang is currently available for release.
Tang is an eighth-grade social studies teacher at Turrentine Middle School. He is in his sixth year with the school district. Tang is the women's soccer head coach for the middle school, according to ABSS's website.
This investigation remains active, and additional updates will be provided as new information becomes available.
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