Melissa Monroe
(2/19/08 - Initial BBT Report)
Melissa Gayle Monroe, 32, a math teacher at Bentonville High School in Bentonville, Arkansas has been arrested on charges of sexual assault in the second degree and knowingly furnishing alcohol to a minor.
Monroe came to the attention of police when another teacher received a text message allegedly from Monroe indicating that she had been involved in a sexual relationship with a male student.
Police say that Monroe took the boy to her home, gave him alcohol and had sexual intercourse with him, apparently on the boy’s 18th birthday.
Monroe is being held in the Benton County Jail awaiting a bond hearing.
She has been suspended with pay from her teaching position.
2/20/08 - Release On Bond
Melissa Monroe was released on $5,000 bond earlier today.
3/11/08 - Monroe Fired
Melissa Monroe, who since her arrest has been on paid administrative leave from the school system has been fired by the Bentonville School Board. The board voted unanimously to fire Monroe at its Monday meeting.
Monroe who remains free on $5,000 bond is set for arraignment on March 31st.
3/28/08 - Formal Charges
Melissa Monroe was formerly charged today with second-degree sexual assault and four counts of knowingly furnishing or selling alcohol to a minor.
Arraignment is set for Monday.
3/31/08 - Arraignment
Melissa Monroe appeared for arraignment and entered a plea of not guilty.
Her next court appearance is a pre-trial hearing set for May 15th.
05/16/08 - Law’s Constitutionality To Be Challenged
Attorneys for Melissa Monroe have announced they will file a motion to challenge the constitutionality of the state law prohibiting public school teachers from engaging in sexual contact with students.
Arkansas law specifies it is a crime for a public-school teacher to engage in sexual contact with a student younger than 21.
Circuit Judge David Clinger set a hearing on the motion for August 14th.
References:
Law’s constitutionality questioned (05/16/08)
Former Teacher Enters Not Guilty Plea To Sex Charge (3/31/08)
Charges Filed Against Teacher (3/28/08)
School Board Fires Math Teacher Arrested for Sexual Assault (3/11/08)
Math Teacher Posts Bond on Sex Charge (2/20/08)
Bentonville teacher accused of having sex with student (2/19/08)
Teacher Arrested In Sexual Assault (2/19/08)
BHS teacher accused of having sex with student (2/19/08)
June 26th, 2008 at 10:46 pm
As someone who knows a lot about this situation but not everything I have to say a common theme for all of these cases is that the teacher was someone who was very well liked. It seems to me that Mrs.Monroe was deeply loved by most of her students, and because of that they tried to learn a subject that many people see as kryptonite. That is what a good teacher does, and good teacher inspires his/her students to acheive and work towards something they normally wouldn’t. By doing this you must gain the trust, respect, and admiration of your students. This is where some seem to fall. When the teacher gains this admiration, and seeing the affect they are having on the student emotions begin to develop. And many people miscontrue these emotions as feelings and act out on them. And thus make the mistake, a mistake that costs them their jobs, careers, and lives. And this is too bad because we need more teachers out there willing to put forth the effort and inspire the way Monroe did. Just these teachers must learn from others mistakes, and learn that there is a very fine but obvious line that one cannot cross. Academia will miss teachers like Monroe but hopefully her mistake will be a lesson to her students of whom I am sure at least 1 wants to be a math teacher someday because of Mrs. Monroe.
June 23rd, 2008 at 5:28 pm
Brad, challenging the constitutionality of the law doesn’t necessarily equate to her admitting guilt. It could just as easily be construed that having the law ruled unconstituional makes prosecution null and void and avoids a trial altogether. If the ploy works, that’s even better than an aquittal for her.
May 22nd, 2008 at 9:27 pm
Go monroe fight the POWER oh and our new math teacher isnt as good as you