Former Vista Ridge teacher pleads guilty to improper student relationship

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — A former Vista Ridge High School teacher pleaded guilty last month in a Williamson County court after she was accused of inappropriate interactions with her 15-year-old student in 2023, according to court documents.

Kirstie Noel Russell was charged with improper relationship between educator/student and received 10 years of deferred adjudication community supervision, court records said. Deferred adjudication is a type of probation, which gives the person sentenced the opportunity to keep the conviction off their criminal record.

The Leander Independent School District placed Russell on administrative leave in September 2023 after learning of a potential inappropriate relationship, the school district said previously. In June 2024, LISD said Russell was no longer employed with the district.

Russell was charged in October 2023, according to an arrest affidavit.

If Russell sticks to the deferred adjudication agreement, then “all evidence seized in connection with [Russell’s] arrest and prosecution may be destroyed,” court records said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.