Teacher who admitted sex wants job back
Posted on Wednesday, March 26, 2008
BENTONVILLE - A Bentonville High School teacher fired last month after admitting to law-enforcement officers that she had sex with one of her students has requested a hearing to get her job back.
Melissa Gayle Monroe, 32, of Bella Vista, was issued a letter of termination Feb. 20 and was given 30 days to request an appeal hearing. District officials believed Monday she had not requested a hearing within the 30 allotted days, and that was reported in Tuesday's Daily Record. The school district's mail had been held during spring break last week, however, so the letter was inadvertently not received until late Monday evening. The district and Monroe have 20 days to hold the appeal hearing.
Monroe, who taught math in the Bentonville School District for seven years, was arrested Feb. 19 on charges of sexual assault in the second degree, a class B felony, and knowingly furnishing alcohol to a minor, a class C misdemeanor.
Monroe was released from the Benton County Jail the day following her arrest after posting $ 5, 000 bond. She was ordered not to have any contact with the student. Monroe was arrested because of her position of authority as the teenager's teacher. Arkansas law specifies it is a crime for a public-school teacher to engage in sexual contact with a student younger than 21. The student was 18.
Prosecutors have not filed formal charges against Monroe. A class B felony is punishable with a prison sentence ranging from five to 20 years and / or a fine of up to $ 15, 000. If convicted of a class C misdemeanor, Monroe could receive a sentence of up to 30 days in jail and / or be fined up to $ 100. Monroe's arraignment is scheduled for 8: 30 a.m. Monday in Circuit Judge Tom Keith's court.
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