Demello is permanently barred from working in Texas schools by TEA

AUSTIN - A former Sanger Independent School District police officer has been permanently barred from working in Texas schools after being placed on the Texas Education Agency’s Do Not Hire Registry.

Last Tuesday, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) said Israel Demello was formally placed on the registry under the authority of the TEA’s Office of Inspector General for Educator Misconduct, which permanently bars him from employment in Texas schools.

Demello was arrested in January and booked at the Denton County Jail with at least a $225,000 bond, according to court records. 

According to court records, Demello was arrested on charges including Improper Relationship Between Educator and Student, Sexual Assault of a Child, Sexual Performance by a Child and Indecency with a Child by Sexual Contact, the TEA said in a March 31 press release. All charges are classified as second-degree felonies.  He still remains in Denton County Jail. 

“The integrity of our schools depends on the trust placed in every adult who serves students,” said Inspector General for Educator Misconduct Levi Fuller. “When that trust is violated, particularly in cases involving exploitation or abuse of a student, we act decisively. This placement sends a clear and unequivocal message: misconduct will not be tolerated in any form, and those who engage in it will be removed from Texas schools permanently.”

The TEA said the investigation leading to the action was conducted in coordination with Sanger ISD and the Sanger Police Department in Denton County.

“Students deserve safe environments where they can learn without fear of exploitation,” Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath said. “Any individual who abuses their position of authority to harm a student has no place in Texas schools. We will use every tool available to ensure that those who commit such acts are held accountable and prevented from re-entering any school system.”

According to the TEA, the Do Not Hire Registry is a statewide safeguard intended to prevent individuals with substantiated histories of misconduct from obtaining employment in Texas schools. 

The TEA said placement on the registry is among the most serious administrative actions it can take, and school systems are required to consult the registry before hiring any employee.

The agency also noted that professionals are legally required to report suspected child abuse to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services or law enforcement if they have reason to believe a child has been abused, as defined by Texas Family Code 261.001. The TEA said Senate Bill 571, passed during the 89th Texas Legislative Session, reduced the required timeframe to report suspected child abuse from 48 hours to 24 hours after first suspecting a child has been abused or neglected.

The TEA said it works with DFPS, law enforcement agencies, and district attorneys to investigate allegations of child abuse and sexual misconduct, and that if it receives a public complaint regarding these issues, it reports it to DFPS. 

Professionals across public education can be placed on the registry if allegations of abuse are substantiated. TEA officials said uncertified employees, like school bus drivers, custodians and cafeteria workers, can also be placed on the registry.

Individuals found ineligible for employment under Texas law in public schools, charter schools, regional service centers or shared service arrangements can be placed on the registry, as can individuals with certain criminal convictions listed in the Texas Education Code.

Educators whose teaching certificates were revoked due to misconduct involving students can also be placed on the registry.

Over the last three school years, the number of former employees listed on the registry has grown. In the 2022-23 school year, 431 people were placed on the registry. In the 2023-24 school year, 530 individuals were placed on the registry. In the 2024-25 school year, 591 placements were made to the registry.