Peel Regional Police have arrested a 53-year-old gym teacher employed at a Brampton high school for having a relationship with a 17-year-old female student.
Investigators say they were contacted by the Peel District School Board (PDSB) on June 12th and made aware of the inappropriate tie between a consenting student and teacher at Turner Fenton Secondary School near Kennedy Road and Steeles Avenue.
As per school board policy, Richard Knill of Milton, was immediately sent home with pay and reported to the Ontario college of teachers.
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On June 15th, Knill was arrested by Peel police and charged with sexual exploitation.
Carla Pereira, Manager of Communications for Peel District School board, says incidents of this nature are very serious and standard practice involves working with police and initiating a thorough board investigation.
“During these board investigations, we review the trial transcripts and seek input from those that are affected and from the Children’s Aid Society,” Pereira told AM 640. “We are also required to share the outcome with the Ontario College of Teachers.”
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Pereira went on to say that reports of inappropriate behaviour are complicated as board policy and procedures, collective agreements, legal input, professional standards, and past practice all have to be considered when handing out disciplinary action to an employee.
“There are a number of consequences that might happen,” said Pereira, “including boundary training, suspension with or without pay, transfer to another school or location, up to and including termination.”
Knill has been with the PDSB since 1991, and a teacher at Turner Fenton Secondary since 2004.