Front page news this morning in the New Haven Register had an article about a Teacher-Pupil Affair. Seemingly juicy news that should not be condoned... or ... is it really that bad.
When I read the article I couldn't help but wonder if this is the best use of town resources and tax dollars. Has common sense disappeared in our society? Is the fear of making the wrong decision crippling progress?
First let me say I do not know all the facts. Reading the article indicates we are talking about a 21 year old Female Substitute Teacher and an 18 year old high school guy, consenting.
The age of consent in Connecticut is 16 but it is illegal for someone in an official school position to be sexual involved with a student under their care.
The law makes sense, you don't want middle aged teachers demanding sexual favors in return for grades. But are there no gray areas? How much control does a SUB have over a student that is practically her age? Taxpayers are spending a small fortune to fund an investigation. This girl lost her substitute teaching position and will most likely be arrested facinga felony charge with a minimum mandatory sentence of 9 months.
Does anyone think of all the money involved in this case? Weeks of police investigation, court time, possible incarceration - all taxpayer funded. Are we looking at 50k, a hundred thousand or a half million?
What ever the number is it a required and justified expense. I see it as a young girl and a guy enjoying life and the politically correct fools are blowing it way out of proportion.
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Dan I am a fairly conservative Republican and there is very little that is politically correct about me. Having said that I would have to disagree with you that this is a waste of money. Regardless of the ages involved you can not have this type of relationship going on between a student and a teacher/substitute teacher. Even in a college this would not be put up with. Standards need to be in place and followed, to deviate would be asking for all sorts of problems.