This saddens me mostly because Michele Taylor has been such a poor mother to her 3 yr old triplets. This woman took precious time away from her kids & husband to spent it flirting (and more) w/ teenagers. Another dysfunctional christian family.

Mary:

I came from a dysfunctional non-Christian home. Dysfunction happens everywhere.

Christians are humans and all humans fall to sin - even non-Christians.

This is a sad story - for Michele, her family, and our community...

It's a sad case for her family. Everyone makes mistakes, I can't
help but wonder if a male teacher having sex with teenage girls would have been treated the same. More importantly before anyone points a finger at her, you better make sure your own hand is clean.

These are Leaders of a Church Group. Leaders. Not followers. Leaders. We all know sinners go to church. The church meets at the School. What benefits does this church group bring to the students at East Valley ? Leaders shepherding other people.

The Churches Words:

www.sunvalleychurch.net/SmallGroup_View.aspx?ID=10 - [Cached Version]
Published on: 12/4/2007 Last Visited: 12/4/2007
Kevin & Michele TaylorSun Valley Church - Yakima, WA: A Place to Belong
...
Kevin & Michele Taylor

East Valley
...
Kevin and Michele are new small group leaders and we are excited to see how God will use them in the lives of the people they will shepherd.Both Kevin and Michele came to Christ through the ministry of Sun Valley Church and have been steadily growing ever since.You can't be around this couple very long without being affected by their contagious enthusiasm for the things of God and the church.Kevin and Michele have three children and live in East Valley.

I think that if this were a man NO ONE would have any sort of sympathy. I think that she should be ashamed of herself and face the same punishment as a man would. She is a pervert and by the standards of our laws a sex offender.

Remember, she hasn't even been tried yet. This story's not over, and we are in no position to jump to conclusions. We are certainly in no position to judge, and blame is only necassary if compensation is needed, unless you're trying to help someone better themself. Otherwise it's just pointless and foolish self-indulgence or pride, that leads to a fundamental lack of change in the status quo.

It is true that she hasn't been found guilty but come on why would she be texting with two young boys. Yes 400 texts i don't know about you but my sons teachers do not text him on his phone. Also why would she send a picture of herself and someone licking her chest that is something you do when you are having an intimate relationship with someone. I do feel for her husband and her children.

Everything infernus says is true.

The Yakima Herald broke the news with dozens of other news organizations. They also with many others set this format up for people to make comments. We live in America, this is the electronic age. These are just comments and opinions.

The Police, The School, and The News Organizations have the largest impact how these matters are handled. We are just following along.

The facts will come out. If what has been reported is wrong. The Taylor's will be wealthy people.

Man were was she at when I was in highschool......... Everyone makes mistakes shes not the first and it also happens all over the world so get over it....... she dint force nobody.....

This is a sad story for way too many involved. I agree that this doesn't feel the same treatment that a male teacher would be getting.

Unfortunately, male or female what will happen next to this woman, her family, the school and the community will cause a lot of pain and suffering with little real benefit to society. Unfortunately she broke the one type of law that is never forgiven and which she can never pay her debt to society and move on.

I'm not excusing what she has been charged with, just commenting on the lack of proportionality in dealing with sex crimes. The "feel good" nature of the punishment for this type of crime is the fact that she is subject to far greater punishment as a teacher than would be applied to jailers, police, priests and others.

You all have her tried and guilty. I personally know Taylor and KNOW she did not do this. She is a great mother...who are you to say she isn't because of what you have read from biased media who is reporting only what the student has stated. The texts...student stated...the incident...student stated...everything student stated. Why is it that all of a sudden because of what has been "reported" she is guilty when you have no idea what actually occured. Give justice a chance to work and then eat your words as you have spit slander all over based on lies.

there must be some kind of PROOF of the texts and/or phone calls between the 2 for charges to be filed. i'm pretty sure 2 months of investigating and interviews must have turned up something that makes this a case for the prosecuting attorney. i can't imagine them charging her on a he said/she said deal.

Why is it so unbeliveable that a good looking woman did this? Remember the teacher from florida she was good looking. Just because from the outside it seems that the good mother,good christian and teacher would not do this sort of thing you are dead wrong. I think she did it why wouldnt she? Good thing she goes to church so the lord can save her from temptation(Little Boys). She will always be labled a sex offender and i hope when she is found guilty they have her register as a sex offender after she gets out of prison. Throw the book at her!!!!

according to "Seekingtruth" the accusations are "student stated"
Don't you know that every time you use your phone to Text" that it is recorded and can be brought up and looked at anytime the law requests?? It is probably the main reason that the prosecution formally filed charges. They now have it in black and white. A lesson for everyone who thinks they can do or say anything with a cell phone, compuer, or even a home phone can be learned by all of this. If you don't want it made public, either don't do it, or don't do it by something that can be tracked. How do you think the Sherrif's office got the "particulars" of some of the text messages?????? especially the amount of text messages. I don't think you know this person as well as you think you do. If she told you she didn't do it, it is the same as the students telling authorities she did!! He said, She said. Hard evidence is worth a thousand words. They have it or it wouldn't have gone this far.

Text Messaging, Not so simple. True they are public record but you must get a court subpoena to have a chance to retrieve them from the phone company who may or may not have saved them. Law Enforcement can't get text messaging from a phone company unless they have the court subpoena.

Example: call the phone company and try to get your own text messaging for the last year or your wives. You will need a subpoena from a court of law.

@ this point, the messages could have seen shown to the police on the actual phone of the teenager. Or Taylor's phone. Or the police are just going off of hear say.

Hard to tell how the Evidence has been collected so far. Only the police know. The Media is not smart enough to ask the right questions

very true Jordan, but I would think that with an investigation like this, the prosecuter probably was able to get the court order for the records. They seem to be able to work quite well with the courts. Kind of like the emails regarding the city council members in Yakima. They were able to get those records. And I'm sure it wasn't Ensey or Coffey that coughed them up!!

Wow, I made an account JUST FOR THIS ARTICLE in particular. I want to shed a little bit of light on an article posted by YHR about 5-6 months ago if my memory serves correctly. A basketball coach by the name of Mike Roettger from Mabton comes to mind. I felt this necessary because I want to prove a point. I'd even like you guys to take the time out of your busy days to even look this up only to solidify a theory already mentioned. Roettger was convicted of adultry and fraternizing with a minor (whom played on Roettger's team.) People were literally crucifying this man on the message boards. Why? Because he was a male. He was in nearly the exact same shoes as this Phys Ed. teacher. What's the diference between the two? Simply gender.

Honestly, I could care less to which direction this case goes, but by judging from the natural sympathy that this woman is already getting from the public, it's going to be nearly the same treatment in the court room. Things will be brushed off, over looked, and swept under the carpet. I have my reasons behind my point, and that is this woman has a good name with the community and with the church of the community. I hope I'm wrong, but if she's guilty I hope she receives the same fair punishment that Roettger received; and labled just as Roettger was labled: A Sex Offender.

"Seekingtruth," you really sparked my interest in saying you KNOW she didn't committ such a crime. That's a pretty bold statement considering it's fair to say you probably weren't with her every waking moment of her teaching career. I think it's considerable to say you would have more logic in saying you HOPE she didn't do it, rather than KNOWING for a fact.

Either way, should she realistically be guilty, I don't think the truth will come out. I hope I'm wrong, because there truly needs to be some standards and examples made of people who in this case would be appropriately labled as a "Saint." Can't wait to hear the verdict. Mike Roettger, look em up.

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the website: to catch a female predator, was very interesting. It shows that females predators are as common as male predators. IT DOES NOT SHOW, however, that this is an accepted part of religion according to the Vatican. It shows that in every walk of life, there are predators, whether they be male, female, catholic, protestant, congressman, president, teachers, doctors, lawyers, judges, or anything else. It is up to our society to blatantly reject the acceptance of this type of behavior no matter who you are or what position you hold.

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Wow, Bible passages could not make it past the censors. Amazing.

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So when scripture is cited that endorses discrimination against gays, that's honky dory. But a biblical endorsement of rape, gets zapped by the censors? I'm stunned (not really).

She needs to burn. I HATE Child predators I hate them.

I Think that the whole "Clean record" shouldn't matter and she shouldnt get some petty sentence.
Sexual Crimes against Underage people should be severe

Because these mental people know no boundaries. She knew it was wrong but she got a Kink out of it.

She was my Teacher I knew her as much as a student should know her teacher she seems strict to me and I feel that this was a shock to me when I heard the rumours.

Why? would she throw it all away? her children her husband her job. TO have sex with a child to see what it felt like?
That makes no sense she must have severe mental problems.

She needs to be put away for a long time this is inexcusable behavior to have someone whom parents trust and so does the community to be sexing up young boys. Its disgusting
especially when shes going for the weak lonley boys who want a girlfriend and to be loved. I hope she gets put in jail for a few years . She betrayed Her husband her Family her Community and her students , in the sense that she was to be someone whom we could all trust.

I Feel no pitty for her I hope she gets the worst she deserves every bit of it for being more VILE on the planet.

For all we know , she could have secretly had sex with other boys who were perhaps under 15 yrs of age who are afraid to speak. Shes a Pedophile Get her out and into Jail

So what is with East Valley and the teachers? Remember a few years ago and Mr. Painter, he was the girls soccer coach and middle school science teacher. Students reported he was targeting young females! Hmmm, maybe it is in the well water. All cynicism aside, if found guilty, she is a sexual predator and will have to register as a sex offender. I believe with Painter, he just settled to leave the school district and drop his lawsuit. If she is convicted, it will be because she left hard evidence!

I would get it out of your head if you think any major jail time is involved for Mrs. taylor. We live in a culture of corruption and incomptance. Theres a 50-50 chance the School, Police will or have botched the case. 100% if she has a great attorney.

I remember the Mabton case, don't recall the punishment with the 2500 others who have been caught this year.

Sex offenders live all around you people. Level One's. Registered but not posted. Walk into City Hall, they have the list. First Timers, Raping Children. They don't like people looking at the list. Usually contains some relatives of law enforcement, City Leaders, Etc, Etc.

This is a Must Read if you are interested in this Case.

Its called "Coaches Who Prey and the system that allows it.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/news/local/coaches/news/daytwo.html

Award Winning Article not written by a Sport Writer at the YHR. Not written by any sports writer. Two Journalist.

I agree one hundred percent, Jordan. That's kinda where I was getting at with my post, but I didn't want it to be ridiculously long. I've seen people get off on charges time and time again, solely based on who they were. If there's a reputation to tarnish, it'll be protected unless that reputation has had it long coming. Then you're just thrown out to the wolves to have an example made of you. Sad. Corruption is everywhere, and wont be going away anytime soon.

And wow, I just read the Seattle Times article. Completely insane. I remember Diaz at Highland, like it was yesterday. Then I remember like the snap of a finger he was at Royal. None of us players ever knew he left the SCAC W for reasons of sexual misconduct. We always though he'd got hired in Royal because he was a good coach... which was partially true. I didn't play for him, but I remember it being a big deal with him coaching because he was so young for the SCAC. Wow... that's all I can truly say about that article, is wow.

It's a shame that parents leave their children at school in a "protected" or "controlled environment" to keep them from being abused by sex offenders, only to come to find out that the sex offenders are just as likely to be within the walls of the faculty lounge at lunchtime as they are to be outside school property. Just blows my mind away.

Jordan:

"What benefits does this church group bring to the students at East Valley ?"

How about money from the rental of the school building?

How much money ? Bring some proof. Make the call to the school. The school will have a contract with the church. I'm sure its fair market value. Ya Right. If the church has so much money, why is it operating out of a school. Maybe you have heard of seperation between state and church.

How about maintenance and up keep of the building. Take your Chomp Change some where else. I'm sure so many people will be fight to get it.

While your calling the school for the money amounts that your church is giving to the school, also request all the credit card statement for the last 5 years for East Valley Schools. Then explain to us how this small amount of money is not being pissed down ahole on nice dinners and expensive hotel room for the school administration. Or flying all over the country.

Hell you may even want to start a New Religion based on these prinicipals.

Show us the benefits to the students. Make me eat Crowe.

Also get the Dollar amounts your school spends on training for teachers. Because the people who are teaching don't know better and must be trained.

He said Taylor had received routine training throughout her career for all teachers about avoiding inappropriate contact with students.

If your school is really transparent. Not what they say. What they do. You should have this information to us on Tuesday of next week. You can stand in the adminstration office as they run copies.

Good Luck

Wow Jordan....you are a lost soul with nobody to talk to...huh? My only post shall be this:

1. Get off the church v. state, church-hating, God is bad kick. I pray that someday you will come to know the loving grace of Christ.

2. There are immoral issues plaguing everyone in all professions. True, us teachers are trained and in a perfect world would do no wrong. What are you hiding in your closet? What are your co-workers hiding that have been trained?

3. Although the paper and news refrains from talking about the "kids" involved...I will let you in on some interesting fodder. The "major" kid involved has serious issues that won't be brought up until the trial. If Mrs. Taylor gets acquitted because of "false" accusations by a lost child, her life will never be the same and that isn't fair. If she is guilty for committing these heinous crimes, the poor boys life will never be the same. There are no winners here...just losers.

Cursadorsfortruth, you have a valid point up until you come to terms with the fact that authorities wouldn't have made an apprehension based on a whim. They would have had to have some form of probable cause. While the media may twist things up a bit, as many stories do get changed and not only by media, I dont think that the text message bit was a part of the story that just appeared out of thin air. I'm involved in law enforcement and have been for nearly 5 years. 99% of the time that a story is false, it's partially false. Meaning it's fabricated just enough to lean the story in the teller's favor. Point being, it may not have been 400 text messages exchanged. It could have been merely a dozen exchanged. That being said, it doesn't justify a teach losing her baring in proffessionalism enough to start a personal one on one basis with a student like that. Any person with any real smarts would know that it's just asking for trouble. There's no doubt in my mind that she knew the risks.

I find it interesting that this teacher gets, in my opinion, special treatment. Why are we still paying her with our tax dollars??

I question why she was not arrested. Is it because her sister works for the sherrifs office? Her co church member is a dedective there?

I question why she is being paid and not fired? Maybe because her mom is a secretary for the district, her husband a teacher, her father-in-law a janitor, her aunt a parapro, and a cousin by marriage also a techer there??

If she gets the best attorney even with all the evidence that somehow gets her off. It seems to happen a lot in such cases and she was never arrested then even a arrest report will not appear on her record as a red flag. I am not saying she will get away free but it sure seems to happen.

You pretty much summed it up in your own statement.....

"It's not what you know... it's who you know"

I'm going to do my best to follow up on this. I highly doubt ANYTHING happens to her what so ever. Which is sad, because in the end, it will just be a re-occurring cycle, for her student will not know any different and in a sense, find this behavior acceptable.

The only reason I'm half way sparked in this whole case is because it happened at my school when I was in highschool and it was swept under the carpet. When I graduated, a few cases around the valley popped up but nothing really happened. I honestly don't even know why I hold myself in suspense when I already know the outcome.

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The justice system sucks. We can verify that by looking up the number of sex offenders or preditors listed with the sheriff's office that are on the streets. If you look under the DSHS website they have a program to rehabilitate sex offenders that reoffend time and time again. DSHS is also responsible for CPS, monitoring foster homes and licensed childcare in WA state. They really need to pick if kids is whom they stand for or offenders. They should not be entitled to the voice of both the preditors and the children.

Sexual abuse is an abusive cycle. Those abused sometimes become abusers. That is fact. Granit it is not always the case. The stakes are to high, in my opinion, to rehabilitate. Our children need to be better protected and simply registering is not enough when it happens over and over. Every victims life is forever negatively changed and when it is an innocent child whom is the target it makes it much worse. Since we can not get these people in jail where they belong. I think there needs to be a community poster with each offenders picture and name and address posted on it. It needs to be posted in every school in every grocery store and everywhere else possible. That way children and parents alike can get use to reconizing the registered offenders. The offenders would leave our area if evryone knew who they were and they could not just mix in population unnoticed. We in Yakima are tolerant to this problem. How many people really know whom the preditors are? Yakima is tolerant.

I agree this sixteen year old had some bit of a choice. Quite frankly it still should not matter a sixteen year old does not have the capability to make adult decisions and is still a child. It should be rape if you convince a child to have sex with you. If you have no previous record and there is enough evidence to be prosecuted for having sex with a minor or communicating with a minor with intent of you should be arrested. I do not think poor joe up the street would get away without being cuffed and stuffed if he was 31 having sex with a sixteen year old girl. It is much worse when it is a teacher that students are made to trust. Sex education classes teach children to go to a teacher for help if they are being abused. Maybe they should better monitor whom they are sending kids to.

It is obvious that there is evidence or charges on such a high profile case would not have been brought. We as a community need to be less tolerant to all not just this specific case.

I'd like to make one last point and I will not be posting comments on this site any longer. Many have said on this site people make mistakes, god forgives, she is hot, and I can not believe a faith based individual would do this, or she is not guilty yet. (which has not been legally proven) Not of that really matters in a factual manner.

The bible clearly states that if your trust in jesus and ask for forgivness you will be forgiven. It does not say you need to be on the streets for this to happen. All (not just refering to this case) preditors, apparently, are entitled be forgiven if they make steps to be. If you believe that or not it is in the bible. Forgiveness nor counseling solves this problem as many (not all) reoffend. Children are to precious to take the chance over. Let all preditors have there chance in jail (keep them there). That way they will not harm others and they will still have there biblical chance to be forgiven. Ministers often visit jail and they can still have their right and chance to be forgiven.

If, in fact, her church is actually located in the school where she is legally employed. A comment brought up on this site. It really does not matter on state vs church. Where the church money goes (if they pay to be there). She should be banned legally from school premises until this is legally solved. She should not be on public school premises and this time. If she is not allowed to work at the East Valley District she should not be allowed on Sundays to enter the school with kids either.

It is also public knowledge that the school district was obligated by state law to contact Child Protective Services. From what I have read in the paper and internet there has been no mention of that step being taken by the school district. The lawyer for the district stated the school conducted there own investigation which is not complete and contacted the sheriff office. The legal and correct steps the district should have taken was to also file a report with CPS as they are mandated reporters. CPS would have then conducted their own investigation and gathered information which could have been used in this case. The school should be held accountable and could be charged if they failed to report.

Jordan,

Let's get some facts straight... See the name? Yup, that means I homeschool my kids. East Valley is not "my school". BTW, I don't attend the church mentioned in the article either.

Back to your absurd suggestions. You and I both know that the school district cannot share the items that you suggest. I must adhere to my original idea. It is ridiculous to think otherwise. I would assume the church is getting a bargain; however, that's likely why they are there. They need to save money for future plans.

However, I do know the character of the superintendent and will stand up for his long work hours and high ethics - even working long hours during his "required" two weeks off in the summer. Have you seen all that he's been able to accomplish in the few short years he's been the super at EV? He's done a fine job and I would ask an apology from you suggesting he (and other admins) have used funding inappropriately. John is a professional.

"Maybe you have heard of separation between state and church." Why, yes. I have heard a thing or two about this phenomenon, Jordan. Having church services at an empty school on a non-school day is not infringing on anyone's religious freedoms. Think before you type - it's called common sense.

Back to your absurd suggestions. You and I both know that the school district cannot share the items that you suggest.

Your misinformed and all those items are very public including the Superintendent contract, all disciplinary files for all teachers. All phone records,credit card statements, sarlaries, Attorney Billing, etc, etc.

Your misinformed and you don't want to be informed. Believe what you hear they are professional.

I have a question for you, Home-School-Mama:

If the SI is running such a tight ship, why is it that you elect to home school your children, rather than having enrolled at East Valley?

Please don't take the question the wrong way, as I'm sure you have good reasoning and this case is a near perfect example as to why I would consider homeschooling my children; but I'm just curious. Is it because you live too far outside of disrtrict - and didn't want to give into sending them to another school?

The Superintendent role is not an easy one to fill, and will take criticism from all angles, regardless of how well or poorly he/she may be doing. I'm just kind of curious why you're so hard up for defending the district so strongly when it would seem you are maybe a bit reluctant to have your children enrolled there. Again, please don't take it the wrong way - for I am extremely non biased in this case. But I would like to see the right thing happen, regardless or what the outcome may be. Hopefully the best FACTS are gathered here, and true justice will stand out.

"Your misinformed and all those items are very public..."

Jordan: Go ahead and post that info then. You seem to be a fan of google. You've got my attention.

Desert_Rover: I appreciate your politeness in asking a rather controversial question. There are many reasons why I homeschool. I feel that teaching my children is my responsibility - not the government's job, not someone else's responsibility. Besides, who has my children's best interest at heart? Who knows my daughters' learning styles, likes and dislikes, interests, hobbies, heart? A stranger...or Mom and Dad? I actually like my kids (we enjoy each others company) and appreciate the flexibility of a homeschooling schedule. Homeschooling allows us freedom to study what we want, when we want, and how we want. It's all very personal.

FYI: we are not in the EV district; however, it would not have been difficult to enroll them there if we had chosen that path. It just didn't fit our family.

I didn't realize that my comment sounded so strong regarding the superintendent; however, I am a friend of the family so my loyalty must be shining. I have seen some of what they have struggled with and I simply applaud the effort. John has done a good job...no, he's not perfect, but who is?

EV is close to my heart for another reason. I graduated from EVHS decades (can it be?) ago...

I am ready for the backlash.

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Nice Report

http://www.sao.wa.gov/findings/74935.pdf

Jordan,

You have lived up to expectation. Thank you for informing us.

After looking over the balance sheet, however, I do not find specifics to our previously addressed issue. No answers... Got any other ideas?

I did find newer, current audits that were outstanding. Again, a tribute to a successful school district.

BTW, I really do appreciate the link. Most interesting...

Salaries for East Valley-Link

http://www.effwa.org/files/misc/2008teachersbydistrictd-f.xls

Request the documents from your school. Its ok to question authorities. Its America. We have an Open Government. They would loved to share any documents you request. Its the law.

Public means "Public" Send an E-mail to your friend.

Jordan:

I've already asked.

I also researched the first amendment; apparently, if the school district does not hold favorites, it looks like it's first come, first serve regarding church services in school, and it's legal...

Duh, I understand the law.

I know its legal. My opinion. Is I don't agree with it. Is that ok.

Jordan,

If you were my kid, I would give you a time out. No need to be disrespectful. The attitude needs to be checked at the door.

I stopped by to let you know what I found out, Jordan, but I am done "discussing" with you. Apparently, you don't want answers, you only want to be loud.

And, yup, it's okay that you don't agree with it. As long as it's okay that we don't agree...

Good night, Jordan. I am done with this thread.