It seems a week doesn’t go by where I read about a teacher supplying alcohol and or other drugs to students. If it is not supplying them with booze it is the teacher showing up to class intoxicated.
Former McPherson High School (Kansas) teacher and soccer coach Todd Brittingham was found guilty of endangering a child and furnishing alcohol to a minor. Brittingham pleaded no contest to both counts as part of a deal struck between the prosecution and defense.
Endangering a child carries with it a maximum sentence of one year in the McPherson County Jail and a $2,500 fine. Furnishing alcohol to a minor, may result in up to six months in jail and is a class B misdemeanor
As part of the agreement, Brittingham will lose his license to teach and will pay restitution to the student’s family.
Sexual Aspect As Well
I am not privy to the circumstances, but the most serious charge levied against Brittingham was dropped. Brittingham was first charged with four counts of unlawful sexual relations with a student in addition to the one count of furnishing alcohol to a minor. The counts of unlawful sexual relations were amended away and the charge of endangering a child pursued as part of the plea agreement.
The story behind it is that a female student allegedly began texting with Brittingham, who suggested she drive to Galva to meet him at his home at around 11 p.m. According to earlier testimony, the student said she already had been drinking when Brittingham encouraged her to drive to his home. Upon arrival, the student said she drank a great deal and became intoxicated, forgetting much of what happened later in the night.
She testified in 2010 she woke up the next morning on a couch in Brittingham’s house semi-dressed, vaguely remembering having had intercourse with him.
The Sex Goes On and On
Testimony provided by the student earlier in court proceedings was not cited as contributing to the counts decided on Tuesday. They included a June 5, 2009, incident in which the student had earlier driven to Galva to engage in sexual relations with Brittingham, a May 19 incident in which sexual acts were performed in the girls locker room beneath the McPherson College stadium, and a July 9 incident, again beneath the stadium, in which the two began engaging in sexual acts but did not complete them.
Yet another case of teacher gone bad. Hopefully, with some jail time and a good online alcohol class, Brittingham can once again become a functioning member of society.