Martinsville, IL (WTWO/WAWV) – The Martinsville Community Unit School District superintendent said Wednesday he is working with his school attorney to remove a teacher facing criminal sexual assault charges.
Mike Lowery, 53, is charged with criminal sex assault on a victim between the ages of 13 and 17 while he was a teacher in the Kansas Community Unit School District.
“We are working with our school attorney to place him on leave effective immediately,” said Robert Waggoner, Superintendent of Martinsville Community Unit School District.
The alleged incident occurred in Kansas, IL while Lowery was a teacher in that school district. He has taught junior and senior high history at Martinsville High School and was in his third year at the district.
According to Waggoner, “law enforcement has shared that, at this time, there is not information suggesting that any current or former Martinsville students or other staff members are involved in this matter.”
Waggoner sent out a letter to parents to explain the situation. In the letter, he assured parents that the school is working with law enforcement.
“We have no reason to suspect that any student or staff member in the district has been in any danger at any time,” said Waggoner.
When hiring for the school district, Waggoner stated, they conduct fingerprint-based criminal background checks and cross-reference state and national sexual and violent offender registries as a part of their pre-employment process.
“The District will monitor ongoing developments regarding this matter and review information shared by Law Enforcement throughout their ongoing investigation ensuring our district continues to make decisions in the best interest of our students,” said Waggoner.
WTWO spoke with the Kansas Police Department and confirmed they are the lead investigators in the case. Police in Kansas, Illinois wrote in a news release that Lowery allegedly sexually assaulted one of his students multiple times in 2023 while a teacher in Kansas. Kansas Police wrote in a news release that Lowery was the victim’s teacher and developed a relationship with her while he was a teacher at Kansas High School. While there he visited the girl in her home and sexually assaulted her, police said.
Lowery is being held in the Edgar County Jail without a bond.
WTWO has reached out to Kansas Community Unit School District for comment.
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