A staff member at Chardon High School is being investigated regarding an alleged inappropriate relationship with a student.
On Tuesday around 11:15 a.m., the Geauga County Sheriff's office notified the administration at Chardon High School of their intent to question a CHS staff member based on allegations of an inappropriate relationship involving a student.
Officials took the staff member, Tyler Merkle, who served as a part-time tutor and coach at the school, into custody, the Chardon Local School District said. The staff member was placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. A background check of the employee was completed in 2012 and did not indicate any convictions that would halted employment with the school district or licensure by the State Of Ohio.
"We value the trust that our parents place in us, in the care and education of their children, and have no tolerance for any behaviors that put our students at risk," the district said. "Our students' safety and security is always our utmost concern."
The district said it is working with law enforcement to handle the matter.
Merkle is expected to be arraigned Wednesday in Chardon Municipal Court on sexual battery charges.
