CHARGES DISMISSED - His firing reaffirmed.
May 18, 2007 - Christopher Lehto, 34, an art teacher at Star Hill Elementary School, was arrested and charged with 4th degree rape -- by a person in a position of trust, authority or supervision -- after having sex with a former student.
The charge involves an alleged incident in April involving a 17-year-old high school student in the parking lot of a Wal-Mart shopping center. Detectives learned of the alleged relationship when a friend of the alleged victim told her mother and the mother contacted state police.
Authorities say the girl confirmed that she and Lehto had engaged in a sexual act. Lehto was released after posting a $5,000 secured bond.
Alleged Full Name: Christopher J. Lehto
UPDATE June 5, 2008 - The criminal action was dismissed because the elements did not exist. However, the school board fired Lehto on August 27, 2007. In a March 4, 2008 decision, Superior court Judge Robert B. Young affirmed the termination. C.A. NO: 07A-08-007(RBY)
Teachers are more than employees who regurgitate information to students. As previously stressed, in Delaware, teachers are regarded as role models.21 The Board here determined that Appellant could no longer serve as an effective role model to the students in his school due to his conduct. The Board determined that the relationship sent the wrong message to the District’s students about the appropriate relationships between students and teachers.22 That finding is the result of the enforcement of the Board’s determination of the community mores, which is the Board’s responsibility.
