Teacher-student relationship suspected

KYLE, Texas (KXAN) - Update: In July 2010, the Hays County district attorney's office declined to proceed with prosecution. The office said that although it had cause to believe an offense was committed, it was unable to prove the allegations beyond reasobable doubt.

An ex-theatre arts teacher is accused of an improper relationship with a student at Lehman High School in Kyle.

The administration at Lehman reported the incident on May 26 to the school resource officer, who is also a Hays County Sheriff's deputy. Bowie Ibarra, who had been a teacher there since August 1999, resigned the same day.

Thursday, a warrant of arrest was issued for Ibarra, 34. He is charged with improper relationship between educator and student, a second-degree felony. The Hays Consolidated Independent School District officials declined to comment.

According the Ibarra's Web site, the former teacher wrote two books about zombies.

In an intro to an excerpt on his site about Down the Road: A Zombie Horror Story :

"George Zaragoza's trip across a Texas filled with the living dead has been interrupted. He is now being held in a FEMA internment camp housed in a high school football stadium. A bloody battle has just ensued between the commanding soldiers and rival gangs which have formed in the camp..."

He has written other books, including Pit Fighters.

On his home page, Ibarra describes himself as a "theatre artist, author and world changer." Below is his biography on the site:

Bowie Valeriano Ibarra was born and raised in Uvalde, Texas on April 15, 1975. In his youth, he enjoyed acting, writing, and drawing. His most notable acting roles in High School include Huckleberry Finn, The Mad Hatter, Charlie Brown, and the Artful Dodger. Bowie also played wingback for the Uvalde Coyotes football team.

Bowie graduated from Uvalde High School and earned an acting scholarship to Bee County College (now Coastal Bend College), where he earned an Associates in Art. His most notable roles at BCC include Luther Billis in "South Pacific," Troll in "Cinderella Waltz," the Tramp from "In the Shadow of the Glen," and Howard Bevins in "Picnic."

Bowie earned a spot in the Southwest Texas State (now Texas State University) Bachelor of Fine Arts acting program, and earned a BFA in Acting with teacher certification for secondary schools. Notable roles include Dr. Miranda in "Death and the Maiden," Max in "The Homecoming," and "The Philadelphia."

Bowie blew out his knee a week before graduation and had reconstructive surgery on his ACL. After recovering, he earned a position as a teacher at Barton Junior High in the Hays CISD in Kyle.

Bowie went on to earn a Master’s in Art degree in Theatre History. Notable roles during this time period were Gentleman in “Thirst” and the kid in "When the Southern Belle Tolls." His thesis was entitled "The influence of Mexican Morality Plays on American Sports Entertainment."

Bowie currently [sic] teaches at Lehman High School in Kyle, Texas. He is represented by Acclaim talent and has worked professionally in film and television industrial work. Bowie has one daughter.

Ibarra surrendered himself to Hays County authorities on Friday. His bond was set for $5,000.