The purpose of this page is to keep our congregation and surrounding community informed about our response to the arrest of a First Baptist Academy band teacher on March 26, 2026.
Email to Church Family (Day of Arrest)
Email Sent to Church Family on March 26, 2026
Subject: Troubling News
Dear Church Family,
I am writing to you today with difficult and concerning news.
Last week, Child Protective Services visited the First Baptist Academy offices in response to a report involving a potentially inappropriate situation between a teacher and a student. Prior to their arrival, we had not been made aware of any report or incident.
The teacher, Mr. Stephen Strawn, was immediately placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of an investigation by Child Protective Services and the Universal City Police Department. As soon as we learned that an investigation would be pursued, we notified band parents of his administrative leave. We subsequently notified all FBA parents of the investigation.
Today, there has been a serious and troubling development. Mr. Strawn, who is also a member of our church, was arrested as a result of the ongoing investigation. At this time, we do not have additional details beyond what has already been shared. However, we felt it was important to inform you promptly before you might encounter this information through social media or the news.
We recognize that this news may come as a shock and may bring a wide range of emotions, especially for those of you who know Mr. Strawn or are connected to our Academy. Please know that we are actively working to care for and support our school and church community during this time.
We are currently arranging a meeting for parents and students to gather with our Academy administration, ask questions, and receive any updates we are able to provide. We will share those details as soon as they are finalized.
I ask that you be especially mindful in prayer for our Academy band students. I will be traveling tomorrow with our high school band as they participate in their TAPPS State Competition. We are praying that, despite these circumstances, this trip will still be a meaningful and positive experience for them. Please also be in prayer for the Strawn family.
During this time, we are praying that God’s peace and comfort will be present in a tangible way for each of you and for the families of First Baptist Academy.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out.
In Christ,
Ryan Gilbert
Lead Pastor
Statement Provided to City & News Outlets
Statement Requested For and Provided on March 26, 2026
“First Baptist Church of Universal City and First Baptist Academy are aware of the recent arrest of a faculty member following an investigation initiated by Child Protective Services in coordination with the Universal City Police Department.
On Monday, March 16, 2026, Child Protective Services visited the First Baptist Academy campus in response to a report involving an alleged inappropriate interaction between a teacher and a student. Prior to this visit, church and school leadership had not been made aware of the report or the alleged incident.
Upon notification, the employee was immediately placed on administrative leave. The individual is no longer serving on campus. The church and academy are fully cooperating with law enforcement and Child Protective Services and are committed to supporting a thorough and transparent investigative process.
The safety and well-being of our students remain our highest priority. We take this matter with the utmost seriousness and are committed to maintaining a safe, secure, and supportive environment for every child entrusted to our care. We are also working to provide appropriate care and support for students, families, and staff affected by this situation.
Out of respect for the privacy of those involved and the integrity of the ongoing investigation, we will not be providing additional details at this time. We ask for continued prayer for those directly impacted, especially the students and families affected, as well as for our school community."
Ryan Gilbert, Lead Pastor of First Baptist Church of Universal City
Parent and Student Update and Q&A Night
On Tuesday, March 31st at 7:00pm, we held an open meeting for parents, students, and faculty. Pastor Ryan Gilbert and Academy Administration provided an update on the recent arrest, as well as held an open Q&A which included Detective Carmona, lead investigator in the case against FBA's former band teacher.
Updates Given by Leaders
Full Investigation Timeline
- Afternoon of Monday, March 16th – CPS Investigator Visits FBA
- Meets with Mrs. Povolish and Mr. Dambacher
- Provided basic information on the case
- Met with the student briefly and departed campus
- Mrs. Povolish contacted FBC leadership to pass along information
- Mr. Strawn placed on Administrative Leave
- Scheduled meeting with student’s parents for next day
- Tuesday, March 17th
- Mrs. Povolish and Mr. Dambacher met with parents
- CPS Investigator Returned to FBA
- Met with Mrs. Povolish
- Met with the student
- CPS representative stated he would forward his findings to UCPD (standard protocol)
- Mrs. Povolish updated FBC leadership
- Wednesday, March 18th
- UCPD Investigators visited campus to interview student (Student Unavailable)
- Thursday, March 19th
- UCPD returned to campus to interview student
- Monday, March 23rd
- UCPD returned to campus to view the band hall & interview faculty/staff members
- Wednesday, March 25th
- UCPD interviewed Band Teacher
- Thursday, March 26th
- Band Teacher arrested on charges of child indecency and grooming
- Monday, March 30th
- Band Teacher officially dismissed from FBA
Communication Timeline
- Monday, March 16th CPS investigator met with FBA leadership and asked that the information not be shared outside of the leadership team until given permission.
- Monday, March 23rd Letter sent to parents of students in band informing them that a situation took place with the band teacher. Letter outlined the details of interim coverage for band classes/performances.
- Wednesday, March 25th Letter sent to all FBA families & faculty informing them of the incident when we were told an investigation would be pursued.
- Thursday, March 26th Letter sent to all families & faculty informing them of Mr. Strawn’s arrest.
- Friday, March 27th Letter sent to all families and Faculty inviting them to attend an Information Meeting on Tuesday, March 31st at 7pm.
- Discussed general information on the incident with the upper school students to let them know how to seek counseling assistance or provide information.
Review of Current Academy Policy
- AT NO TIME should any faculty member become too familiar with a student or group of students.
- Faculty members are not to “socialize” with any group/student.
- Meeting privately with a student(s) at any time other than school sponsored events is not permitted without administrative approval.
- Faculty are NOT to communicate with students via the internet (e.g., e-mail, Twitter, Snap Chat, Facebook) or other social media platforms including telephone/texting unless it is related to class assignments / teaching / spiritual encouragement.
- Teachers must always maintain a “professional” relationship with students rather than fostering a “familiar friend” level.
- Teachers will always maintain a “teacher/ instructor” rapport with students on and off campus.
- Never counsel a student of the opposite sex alone behind closed doors!
- Avoid counseling students of the same sex alone behind closed doors. Consider asking another faculty member to join the conversation or leave the door open.
- Always keep the door ajar when counseling with students in a classroom or office.
- Any problems or issues brought to a teacher by a student must be referred backto the parent, another teacher or the administration.
- Teachers must be very careful to guard information about students/families/staff from individuals who do not need to know the information.
- Discuss these issues only in professional settings and never in public which includes hallways, lunchroom, teacher resource or break rooms. Protect sensitive information and be courteous to the students, parents, and fellow colleagues.
Steps Ahead
- Continue to work with CPS & UCPD & keep families updated
- Provide refresher & familiarization training to FBA faculty & students
- Establish policy requiring administrative approval for private lessons outside of “FLIGHT” and SCUCISD scheduled sessions
- Establish standardized policy for obtaining measurement and sizing for student uniforms
- FBC has set aside $10,000 for campus security upgrades
- Hired an ACSI policy auditor to review current policies and suggest potential enhancements
Video Update Sent Out to Congregation
Sent Out to Church on Wednesday, April 1st at 3:00pm
Subject: FBA Teacher Arrest Update
Next Steps
Church leadership is currently in a "deep dive" into all things First Baptist Academy. This includes more than 40 meetings with FBA Admin, teachers, parents, FBA Committee members, FBC pastoral staff, local pastors, and Administrators of other Christian schools.
The goal is simple: to make certain that nothing like this can ever happen again, as much as humanly possible, by the grace of God.
A full update on any next steps and recommendations will be provided by mid-June.
A Change in Academy Leadership
Email sent to FBA Families on June 9, 2026
FBA Families,
I am writing today with difficult news regarding the leadership of First Baptist Academy.
On Sunday evening, the FBA Committee voted not to renew the contracts of William Dambacher—FBA Principal and Jennifer Graves—Athletic Director for the 2026-27 school year.
We also received and accepted the resignation of Christine Povolish, our Head Administrator.
I know this news may be unsettling and difficult to process. Please be assured in knowing that our students, families, and faculty have been at the forefront of all deliberations.
How This Came To Be
Following the arrest of our former Band Teacher nine weeks ago, I felt compelled to conduct a thorough review of our Academy's operations, leadership practices, policies, and procedures. My goal was simple: to ensure that, with God's grace and help, we do everything within our power to provide the safest possible environment for every child and student entrusted to our care.
Over the past nine weeks, our Executive Pastor and I have conducted more than fifty meetings with Academy administrators, faculty members, parents, FBA Committee members, leaders from other Christian schools, pastoral staff, and nationally recognized experts in child abuse prevention, mandatory reporting, and school safety. These individuals were not critics of FBA looking for faults to find. Rather, many of them were people who care deeply about our Academy and wanted to help us honestly evaluate our strengths and weaknesses.
Our review identified concerns related to administrative oversight, policy enforcement, staff training, and the handling of concerns brought forward by parents and staff. While these findings revealed deficiencies in oversight, our review did not uncover evidence of an ongoing threat to student safety.
Due to our findings, the FBA Committee determined that the contracts for Principal and Athletic Director would not be renewed.
For our Head Administrator, as a member of our ministerial staff (per our bylaws), the Personnel Committee was in the process of determining recommendations for next steps—i.e. employee improvement plan, disciplinary action, or termination. Before any decisions were made on those recommendations, Mrs. Povolish chose to resign.
To be clear, this news does not mean that these individuals did not make important and crucial improvements to our school over the years. I have personally observed the hard work, dedication, and sacrifice these individuals have invested in First Baptist Academy. They have devoted countless hours to serving students, families, faculty, and our school community. I am grateful for the many positive contributions each has made over the years.
Our Commitment to FBA
I want our families to hear this clearly: these decisions reflect our commitment to First Baptist Academy, not a lack of commitment to it.
One of the things that excited me most when I first began speaking with First Baptist Church about becoming Lead Pastor was learning that our church had a Christian Academy. I believe deeply in Christian education and in the important role churches can play in helping families disciple and educate the next generation.
Over the past 18 months, I have grown to appreciate even more what makes FBA special: dedicated Christian educators, a strong academic culture, the House model with older students mentoring younger students, meaningful student relationships, and a commitment to teaching every subject through the lens of a biblical worldview.
Most of all, I have come to love our students.
During these past nine weeks, I have spent more time with students than ever before, and that experience has only strengthened my conviction that First Baptist Academy is worth protecting, strengthening, and investing in for the future.
I understand that this announcement may create uncertainty. We are committed to learning from this season, strengthening our systems, improving training and accountability, and building an Academy that is even stronger in the years ahead.
The Plan
The FBA Committee has recommended Mrs. Debra Winkelmann to serve as Interim Head Administrator, and Debra has graciously agreed to step into this role during this transition. She has been part of FBA for a long time, and does an excellent job leading our Early Learning School. We are grateful for her willingness to serve and ask for your patience and prayers as this transition takes place.
We also have asked Dr. Victor Fordyce, current FBA teacher, to step in as our Interim Principal. Dr. Fordyce is well respected within our school and church, and also has prior experience as a principal.
We have already begun the process of identifying future, permanent leadership for the Academy. We are committed to finding leaders who share our vision, love our students, and are equipped to help us continue strengthening the Academy moving forward. We will continue to communicate with you as we implement these changes and as additional information becomes available.
We recognize that many parents may desire additional details. While we are committed to transparency, personnel matters require us to respect appropriate confidentiality. What I can assure you is that these decisions were made carefully, prayerfully, and with the best interests of our students, families, faculty, and Academy in mind.
You are always welcome to set an appointment to meet with me, personally. You can email me at the address below. You can also contact Mrs. Winkelman and set an appointment with her. Her email is dwinkelmann@fbauc.org (mailto:dwinkelmann@fbauc.org).
Thank you for your prayers and patience during this season. I genuinely believe, as a result of these difficult but necessary steps, FBA will be stronger and healthier for years to come.
In Christ,
Ryan Gilbert- Lead Pastor
First Baptist Church Universal City