Monticello teacher charged with child seduction www.privateofficer.com
Investigators say 58-year-old Mark Hay, a teacher at Twin Lakes High School, allegedly fondled a female high school student at school from March 2007 through May 2009. Police say the victim was between the ages of 16 and 18 during that time.
“The charge in this case is one count of child seduction, Class D Felony,” said ISP Det. Jim Cody. “The allegations are that he touched and fondled a student in a sexual manner on school property during school hours.
Hay, a former head football coach, was booked at the White County Jail, but is now out on bond.
“Twin Lakes Schools officials address all such allegations very seriously and will professionally perform all duties to educate and protect our students,” Superintendent Dr. Thomas Fletcher wrote in a statement.
The statement says Hay was suspended and when told he faced firing, “Mr. Hay presented his resignation with the intent to retire.” The school board will take up Hay’s resignation April 13.
It’s the second time in two months an ex-coach and teacher at the school has been arrested for inappropriate sexual conduct with a female student. In January, it was wrestling coach Scott Hardy. State police say the two cases are unrelated.
“Had quite a few in this small of a town in this short of time,” said resident Rick Kinkle. “Real surprised to see.”
Hay couldn’t be reached for comment and his wife had no comment on the charges facing her husband.
“I actually am appalled that could have gone on in the first place,” said parent Jim DeKoster.
“Very definitely hard to believe,” said a woman who knows Hay. “And he’s not been proven guilty yet.”
Residents are concerned for the children in the schools.
“I don’t understand what’s going on with these men,” said Monticello resident Robert Peck. “It shouldn’t be going on with these school kids, period. They should know better.”
“My main concern is, how we can stop this and keep it from happening in the future? We put our trust in these people. We have got to know we can have our kids going to school safely.
