Schenectady school aide accused of passing lewd note

PHOTOGRAPHER: Steven Cook

A Schenectady City School District teacher’s aide was arrested by police and fired from his job after allegedly passing a lewd and graphic note to a 13-year-old female student.

Tyerell Washington, 28, of Chester Street, Schenectady, was charged Monday with one count of endangering the welfare of a child, a misdemeanor.

Washington is accused of passing the note Dec. 20. He was suspended immediately after it was reported, district spokeswoman Karen Corona said.

Washington allegedly passed the note in a class he worked with, police spokesman Lt. Mark McCracken said, and the girl then notified school officials. In the note, Washington is accused of writing that he wanted to touch the girl in a sexual manner and perform a sex act on her.

A warrant was issued for Washington’s arrest shortly after the incident, and he was arrested Monday.

Washington’s tenure with the district was brief, Corona said. He was hired Oct. 6, after having passed all required background checks.

“There were no red flags,” she said.

Corona said the student reported the incident to a principal late in the day, and Washington was suspended with pay the next morning. The termination was formally approved by the school board at its Jan. 11 meeting.

Washington was listed as a special education paraprofessional, essentially a special education teacher’s aide.

Washington appeared in court this week and was released. He is due back in court April 2. Washington’s name is also listed in police records as Tyrell Washington.

An attorney for Washington could not be reached for comment Wednesday. A message left at a number listed for Washington was not returned.