Reagan Reese on December 30, 2022
HILLIARD CITY, OH – NBC 4 reports that an Ohio teacher resigned on Thursday following allegations of an “inappropriate relationship” with a student.
Hilliard City Schools received a report over the holiday break about an “inappropriate relationship” between a former student and Brian Tonti, a former Hilliard Darby High School teacher. After the allegations, Tonti was placed on administrative leave and then resigned at the district’s request.
“We are deeply sorry that one of our graduates has been dealing with this, and we appreciate the courage it takes to come forward,” Hilliard City Schools Superintendent David Stewart said in a statement to NBC 4. “As disturbing as these allegations are, Mr. Tonti has a right to due process. We will continue to fully cooperate with the authorities.”
The alleged “relationship” between Tonti and the student, who was 17 years old when it began, occurred for nearly three years from Sept. 1, 2010, through May 30, 2013, according to the Columbus Dispatch. Toni is facing possible sexual battery and rape charges after the student reported the allegations to the Hilliard Division of Police.
Tonti had been a teacher within the district for 22 years, the Columbus Dispatch reported. The school has opened its own investigation into the allegations and will talk with students who were in Tonti’s classes for the 2022-2023 school year.
“At Hilliard City Schools, whenever a student or staff member makes a credible accusation about any kind of inappropriate behavior, we take that seriously and we act immediately – that includes conducting a thorough investigation for all such reports and involving other local authorities as needed or required,” Stewart said in a statement to 10 WBNS News.
Tonti could not be reached for comment. Hilliard City Schools and the Hilliard Division of Police did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.
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