MEDINA
Music teacher innocent of misconduct
MEDINA — An embattled Medina High School music teacher was acquitted Wednesday in a two-day jury trial involving alleged official misconduct, his attorney said.
Scott D. Ballard, 33, who was arrested last September amid allegations he initiated relationships with two of his former students, was found not guilty of a single count of official misconduct in Medina Village Court.
“He’s extremely pleased,” said Thomas Calandra, Ballard’s attorney. “He’s been under a lot of stress from this.”
Ballard initially was accused of engaging in relationships with two students in both 2004 and 2006. Both were older than 17 and, at the time of his arrest, were no longer attending the school.
A second official misconduct charge against him was dismissed in November. It was learned the alleged 2004 relationship occurred after the student had already graduated.
Calandra questioned the decision to bring criminal charges in the case at all and suggested “small-town” politics on the local School Board may have played a role. The School Board, Calandra said, has refused to pay Ballard for several months.
“To try to make it a criminal case rather than a disciplinary action was truly wrong,” Calandra said. “He’s considered an outstanding teacher. He’s well respected and the Medina music program is renowned throughout the state.”
Ballard’s teaching status remained unclear late Wednesday. Calandra said Ballard will talk with teachers union representatives to learn the options available to him.
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