The Manhattan-Ogden Board of Education decided to terminate the contract of a high school teacher accused of having unlawful sexual relations with a 17-year-old male student in a closed session Wednesday evening.
The closed session preceded the regular board meeting held at the Robinson Education Center.
Katherine Harder, who was a language arts teacher at Manhattan High School, was formally charged with unlawful sexual relations with a student last week.
The two were found in a parked car in the Spillway Marina Park area of Tuttle Creek Dam by a Pottawatomie County Sheriff's deputy March 30.
Harder resigned March 31, according to the Topeka Capital-Journal.
She has rescinded her resignation since and was placed back on suspension, according to The Manhattan Mercury.
At its regular meeting, the board announced its intent to terminate Harder's contract. Harder has the right to request a hearing before the board by April 11.
"Personnel is always a difficult issue, and I think the board handled it as appropriate," said board president Beth Tatarko.
The board approved adoption of new language arts textbooks for grades K-12.
Bids were approved for electrical improvements for Amanda Arnold Elementary School, to be completed by the start of school year 2008-09. Improvements will include replacing all lighting, intercom system and fire alarm system and adding electrical outlets.
Bids for three buses and one activity van were also approved for the district.
Items for discussion at the next meeting will include the 2008-09 calendar, supplemental duty assignments policy, student fees and textbook rental for 2008-09 and preliminary budget planning for 2008-09.
The board of education meets the first and third Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the Robinson Education Center.
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Mama Bear
posted 4/03/08 @ 8:55 AM CST
Why did they allow them to have sex in a closed session?
Proper grammar please! "...in a closed session" describes the decision, not the sexual relations. (Continued…)
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