Public scrutiny is intensifying as the Iberia R-V School District school board prepares to decide whether to accept the resignation of former teacher Casey Ann Mason following allegations of sexual conduct involving a student.
Community members are now questioning whether allowing a resignation instead of pursuing termination proceedings could shield Mason from additional professional accountability. If the board declines to accept the resignation and instead moves toward formal disciplinary action, the allegations and findings could become part of Mason’s permanent employment record.
A source who wished to remain anonymous told Missouri Free Press that on April 24, Mason allegedly brought an unnamed student to her home after her children were asleep, provided alcoholic beverages, and engaged in sexual relations with the student.
The same source also alleged that during a senior trip to Panama City Beach, marijuana gummies and alcohol were allegedly provided by the unnamed student to other students, and that Mason allowed the behavior due to what was described as a “personal relationship” with one of the students. According to the source, no sexual contact allegedly occurred during the trip itself, though inappropriate text messages between Mason and the student reportedly did occur.
Teachers are entrusted by parents and the community to protect students, maintain professional boundaries, and provide a safe educational environment. Allegations involving alcohol, drugs, and inappropriate relationships between school staff and students represent a serious breach of that trust and the professional duty educators are expected to uphold.
Over the last week, another name has also surfaced within the district. Christie Bauer was mentioned to Missouri Free Press as another teacher who allegedly had sexual contact with a student in the same district. At this time, Missouri Free Press has not independently verified those allegations and has received no additional details regarding Bauer.
Missouri Free Press spoke with Amanda Mace, superintendent of the district, and asked why Mason and Bauer were reportedly permitted to tender resignations rather than immediately face termination proceedings.
Mace stated that both individuals had submitted resignations, but the school board has not yet formally voted to accept them. According to Mace, the matter will be addressed during the next board meeting scheduled for May 26, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. at Iberia High School. She confirmed the meeting is open to the public and citizens are permitted to attend.
The upcoming vote could prove significant. If the board chooses not to accept Mason’s resignation, additional disciplinary action could still occur through formal termination procedures.
Missouri law appears to directly address situations involving educators and students regardless of the student’s age. Under Missouri Revised Statute 566.086, sexual contact with a student by a teacher or school employee can constitute a felony offense even when the student is legally an adult.
The statute states in part that a person commits the offense if they are a teacher, substitute teacher, administrator, employee, volunteer, or intern of a school and engage in sexual conduct or sexual contact with a student enrolled at the same school.
Missouri Free Press also contacted Bob Seek seeking clarification as to why Mason reportedly will not face charges in Missouri despite the allegations. As of the time of publication, Seek has not returned requests for comment.
In addition, Missouri Free Press contacted law enforcement agencies in Panama City Beach regarding the allegations involving inappropriate text messages during the senior trip. Detectives advised that prosecution related to electronic communications may still be possible depending on the circumstances and jurisdiction. However, investigators stated they would first need the exact address or lodging location where the group stayed during the trip.
According to detectives, multiple law enforcement agencies operate within different jurisdictions throughout Panama City Beach and surrounding areas, making the precise lodging location necessary before determining which agency would have authority to investigate the allegations further.
Missouri Free Press is encouraging anyone with information regarding the address or location where students and staff stayed during the Panama City Beach trip to come forward. Individuals with relevant information may help determine whether additional criminal investigations are possible.
The case bears similarities to a 2019 incident involving former Sarcoxie R-II School District teacher Baylee A. Turner. In that case, Turner admitted to police she had sexual relations with a student at her home while the student was 18 years old. Prosecutors continued pursuing the case until Turner later married the student, Nate Dally, in 2022, reportedly invoking spousal privilege protections that prevented Dally from being compelled to testify against her.
Missouri Free Press will continue following developments surrounding the May 26 board meeting and any potential criminal investigations connected to the allegations.