Academy Band Teacher 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 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

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
  1. Meets with Mrs. Povolish and Mr. Dambacher
  2. Provided basic information on the case
  3. Met with the student briefly and departed campus
  4. Mrs. Povolish contacted FBC leadership to pass along information
  5. Mr. Strawn placed on Administrative Leave
  6. Scheduled meeting with student’s parents for next day
• Tuesday, March 17th 
  1. Mrs. Povolish and Mr. Dambacher met with parents
  2. CPS Investigator Returned to FBA
  3. Met with Mrs. Povolish
  4. Met with the student 
  5. CPS representative stated he would forward his findings to UCPD (standard protocol)
  6. Mrs. Povolish updated FBC leadership
• Wednesday, March 18th
  1. UCPD Investigators visited campus to interview student (Student Unavailable)
• Thursday, March 19th
  1. UCPD returned to campus to interview student
• Monday, March 23rd
  1. UCPD returned to campus to view the band hall & interview faculty/staff members
• Wednesday, March 25th
  1. UCPD interviewed Band Teacher
• Thursday, March 26th
  1. Band Teacher arrested on charges of child indecency and grooming
• Monday, March 30th
  1. 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

Sent Out to Church on Wednesday, April 1st at 3:00pm

Subject: FBA Teacher Arrest Update

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNX_JmC8eoo

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.