Will a Blue Earth Area elementary teacher prosecuted for misdemeanor domestic assault be in the classroom when school starts next week?
Superintendent Evan Gough is being tight-lipped on the employment status of third-grade teacher Steven Wood.
In the past, Gough has said district officials are aware of a complaint involving Wood and that an investigation is being conducted.
Gough will not say if the complaint he refers to and the domestic assault charge are the same.
“I am not able to discuss the nature of the complaint,” he says. “At this time, there is nothing further I can share with you.”
In a plea bargain, Wood agreed to a continuance for dismissal.
That means the case has been put on hold for nine months with conditions that he have no same or similar assaultive behavior and pay a $585 fine. He faced a maximum sentence of 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.
According to court documents, the 31-year-old Wood was arrested the night of May 16 at his home in Winnebago.
While there is no police incident report on public file, a citation ticket issued to Wood shows an officer was called to his residence around 10:39 p.m.
Police Chief Eric Olson says the officer was responding to a 911 call.
Gough will not say if Wood was allowed to continue teaching following the incident.
The School District’s website says Wood has been at BEA for at least five years and is currently teaching third grade.