ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. – Rocky Mount Police arrested 25-year-old high school math teacher Erin Elizabeth McAuliffe on multiple felony charges over allegations of sex with three students at Rocky Mount Preparatory School.

Rocky Mount Police launched an investigation on May 5 based on allegations of inappropriate sexual relations between McAuliffe and three male students – two 17-year-old and a 16-year-old – during off-campus rendezvous, WNCN reports.

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“I was really surprised,” parent Felicia Russel told the news site. “I thought that women teachers were getting smarter and better.”

School officials told WITN McAuliffe’s last day at the school was May 4 and she was fired on May 8. The police investigation involved numerous interviews with students and staff, and officers eventually obtained warrants against the teacher last Thursday.

Police arrested McAuliffe on three counts of sexual activity with a student and one count of indecent liberties with a minor and she was booked into Carteret County Jail on a $20,000 bond, the Rocky Mount Telegram reports.

“We have been fully cooperative with local law enforcement during the course of their handling of this matter,” school officials wrote in a prepared statement.

McAuliffe bonded out of jail and is expected back in court today, WSOC reports.

Parents and former students at the school spoke to WNCN about the allegations.

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“It’s very shocking and appalling that a person would do that with a student,” 2016 graduate Devon Steele said. “The teacher-student relationship is very intimate in itself, but it’s not meant to be abused in that way.”

Jimmy Boykin, grandfather of a Rocky Mount Prep student, said he’s “not shocked, the way the world is today, but I am very concerned about it.”

Court records show the president of the school, Todd Pipkin, filed the police report that led to McAuliffe’s arrest.

School officials refused to discuss the situation with WNCN.

Folks online, however, had plenty to say.

“You would think that after all the teachers we have seen paraded past us on the news – for the exact same crime – that they would learn to keep their hands and genitals off of the children,” Chris Howell posted to Facebook. “They are kids – the sex couldn’t be THAT good that it’s worth risking your career and time in jail for.”

“When will these teachers ever learn?” Kadee Sparrow added. “A student is going to tell about these escapades.”

“Jesus … here we go again,” Linda Spielvogel added.

“Maybe hire ugly teachers?” Mike Taylor posted.