Colonia, NEW JERSEY

Mar 6, 2007 - Karen Binder, 42, a Colonia High School teacher, was arrested and charged with official misconduct related to sexually explicit text messages sent to a pair of students.

She was arrested after the parents of a 17-year-old Colonia High School student notified school officials on Monday that Binder had sent their son text messages expressing her interest in performing a sexual act on him.

In the investigation, police found Binder had sent similar messages to a 16-year-old boy. Smith said Binder was suspended with pay. She is being held on $150,000 bail, with no option to pay 10 percent.

Binder is the second Colonia High School teacher arrested in three months for involvement with students.
"Michael Petak was arrested in December charged with official misconduct and witness tampering in connection with a romantic relationship he was having with a 17-year-old student at the high school." TT- he was actually arrested in September. He was indicted in December. Petak, who is married and a father of a 9-month-old child was being held on $75,000 bond, with no option to pay 10 percent.
TT entry for Petak.