Records: Lakota teacher FaceTimed former student from bed while shirtless
Lakota West High School's choir teacher resigned Wednesday after the district started its second investigation into his alleged relationship with a former student.
Principal Ben Brown said a report has been filed with the state education department and law enforcement is aware of the situation. No charges have been filed.
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Records show Nick McGill, 28, was investigated in July of 2021 by the district. At that time, Robert Kramer, Lakota's executive director of human resources, emailed McGill a written summary of the investigation's findings after looking into McGill's "friendship or relationship" with a recent graduate.
The first investigation did not lead the district to believe there was any inappropriate relationship, grooming or indiscretion on McGill's part while the girl was enrolled at West High, the email reads.
But after she graduated, McGill admitted to connecting with her through social media and running into her in town. A photo was taken of McGill and the former student in a car, the email reads, and a screenshot of a shirtless McGill in bed, on FaceTime with her also circulated on social media. McGill gave the middle finger to the former student through FaceTime in that photo.
Kramer said parents reached out to administrators about those photos, which prompted the 2021 investigation.
"While we do not believe that there was any unlawful acts or inappropriate relationship, your decision to engage in a student in this manner was poor judgement," Kramer wrote. "The challenge moving forward is what others might think about this situation based on what they have seen or heard within the social media rumor mill. This could be an arduous reality to overcome and I would encourage you to continue to work with (Principal) Brown about how this looks moving forward.
"It will be of utmost importance for you to manage your social media very carefully and to not put yourself in a situation like this again," Kramer's email reads.
McGill is a Lakota graduate and started working in the school's music department in 2017, according to records obtained by The Enquirer through an Ohio Open Records Act request. His salary for the 2022-23 school year was $55,756. Before teaching at Lakota he student taught at Mason High School and Montgomery Elementary in the Sycamore School District while studying at Xavier University.
The Enquirer could not immediately reach McGill for comment on Friday.
Choir teacher investigated again, 19 months later
More than a year and a half went by before Kramer emailed McGill again about the investigation. On Feb. 16, Kramer gave McGill notice of another fact-finding conference for "failure to maintain a professional relationship with a student" and "engaging in grooming" in 2021.
It is unclear if that fact-finding conference ever happened, as the date was marked "TBD."
McGill was placed on administrative leave with pay two weeks later, on March 3, "pending the conclusion of an investigation," a subsequent email from Kramer reads.
McGill sent his resignation letter to Interim Superintendent Rob Vogelmann on Tuesday, citing "personal and professional reasons."
"It has been a privilege to work for this district and I will continue to support it and advocate for it from afar," McGill wrote.
Principal Brown wrote a message to Lakota West High School parents and guardians on Wednesday, announcing McGill's resignation.
"Information was brought to the attention of Lakota the summer after the student’s graduation, but the investigation at that time found no evidence to support those allegations, including no allegation of wrongdoing by the graduate’s family," Brown wrote. "However, due to more recent information that conflicted with the initial investigation, another investigation was initiated, which resulted in Mr. McGill’s resignation."
Brown emphasized the investigation involved a relationship with a former student that began after the student had graduated and that there is no evidence the alleged relationship took place when the graduate was still a student or a minor. Brown also said there have not been any other allegations involving other Lakota West students or graduates.
"Regardless, this behavior is unacceptable and will not be tolerated at Lakota," Brown wrote.
Brown said he could not give further details as the situation is a personnel matter.
"When our students enter our schools, there should be no question that they are safe. Teachers can and should be mentors to our students, but there are boundaries that should never be crossed," Brown wrote to Lakota West families. "We expect that our staff conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times, and any time there is a question of safety or misconduct, we will investigate."
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This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Principal: Lakota West teacher resigned following investigation
