Shawnee Assistant Athletic Director Resigns Amid Allegations Of Sexual Misconduct

A former Shawnee Public Schools assistant athletic director is no longer with the district after being charged with sex crimes.

Ron Arthur is accused of sexual misconduct with students.

Related: Shawnee HS Assistant Athletic Director Charged With Sex Crimes

His attorney told News 9 her client decided to step down.

The state suspended Arthur's teaching certificate in August.

He resigned one day before a scheduled termination hearing by Shawnee Public Schools.

“He just felt it was best not to go through the termination hearing,” said attorney Shelley Levisay.

While Arthur decided not to fight for his job, Levisay said her client is fighting the charges.

“He's very upset by the allegations and hurt by them,” said Levisay.          

Levisay said while Arthur admits having contact with now three accusers who have come forward, he believes he’s done nothing wrong.

“He denies having any relationships with any current students, he denies any nonconsensual acts with former students,” said Levisay.

But the Pottawatomie County Sheriff's Office said otherwise.

“Throughout the course of my investigation I have learned there was honestly inappropriate things happening throughout the years,” said Deputy Amber Soule with the Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Office.

A former student who did not want to be identified, said following an investigation in 2018, some school officials told him and others to keep quiet.

“They told us to not talk about it, not tell anybody about what was going on,” said the former student.

Levisay said the sheriff's office and even the district attorney got the charges, that include rape, wrong.

“I think when you actually look at the school records, in their entirety, it doesn't indicate what the sheriff's office say they say,” said Levisay.

As for the parents who claimed their children were victimized Arthur’s attorney said, “I just don't think any of these were crimes.”

Read: Concerned Parent, Former Student Speak Out Following Arrest Of Shawnee HS Athletic Director

The state superintendent’s office said they are working to revoke Arthur's teaching certificate.

His next court hearing is set for November.