The Van Buren School District will not comment, but Van Buren Police confirm they are investigating the matter.
“His wife should be very upset to say the least,” said Cliff Hall, the father of the 15-year-old girl science teacher Rhett Kelley is accused of messaging.
“It would be no different if he was say sitting at a bar flirting with a 20-something-year old girl,” said Hall.
Kelley started sending the texts about four weeks ago, according to Hall.
“He shouldn't be allowed to be teaching anywhere,” Hall said. “He doesn't need to be anywhere where he's involved with minors.”
Detective Jonathan Wear with the Van Buren Police Department confirms they are investigating, but no arrests have been made. The department would not make any other comments about the case, because they say it is an open investigation.
The Van Buren School District's administration will not comment on the investigation or on Kelley’s employment status because it is a personnel matter.
Kelley is still listed at an employee at Van Buren High School on the school’s online directory.
Hall says the principal at Van Buren High School acted immediately.
“I don't know that there's any kind of way to screen for these kind of people or not because it seems that he's a well-liked teacher,” said Hall.
5NEWS found Kelley at his house Monday afternoon. He would not comment.