NHS teacher on leave, under investigation

NEWARK – A Newark High School teacher is on leave and under police investigation for reportedly being involved in "inappropriate conduct" with a student, according to officials.

Detective Steve Vanoy confirmed Thursday the teacher is the subject of a police investigation involving only one alleged victim.

School officials reported the suspected conduct, which reportedly occurred "within the last several months," Vanoy said.

The Advocate is not naming the teacher at this time because no charges have been filed. No arrest had been made as of Thursday afternoon.

Some Newark High School students began tweeting Wednesday using a hashtag arguing to "free" the teacher. The educator's social media accounts were deleted this week.

The case has been presented to the Licking County Prosecutor's Office and the investigation is ongoing.

Prosecutor Ken Oswalt said the case could go to a grand jury as early as next week. He said it is still too early in the review of the case to determine what charges may be filed.

According to the teacher's personnel file, the teacher had been working as a substitute in the district since spring 2012. The teacher taught full-time in the district the last two school years and has worked as a coach.

A letter dated Tuesday indicated the teacher was placed on administrative leave with pay pending further investigation. The letter does not indicate the reason for the leave.

There are no other write-ups or disciplinary notations in the teacher's file.

Newark City Schools Superintendent Doug Ute said district policy is for teachers and staff members to have no one-on-one communication through cellphones or social media with students. In some instances, such as athletics, where one-on-one communication might need to occur, the athletic director is supposed to be copied on conversations, he said.

Ute said the policy is discussed at length with staff, especially in a mentoring program for first- through fourth-year teachers in the district.

"We take the time at convocation day (to discuss it) and incorporate it in professional development," he said.

The teacher's position with the district will be evaluated after the investigation is concluded, Ute said. The district is notifying the Ohio Department of Education about the investigation.

This marks the fourth time in 13 months that a Licking County teacher has been investigated for inappropriate conduct with a student.

In February 2014, Anthony Miller, an assistant Newark band director and music teacher, was charged with sexual battery and other crimes related to his involvement with multiple students. He was sentenced in August to four years in prison.

Former Heath High School guidance counselor Mackenzie Land Matthews was charged in November with having a sexual relationship with a student during 2010. She was sentenced in January to two years in prison.

Newark police are also currently investigating a former Newark teacher — who The Advocate is not naming at this time because no charges have been filed — for reported sexual conduct with a student. Detectives say that investigation could take weeks or months before a decision is made on whether to file charges.