Kerry Hoffman, age 27, of Bergen, the former band director of Oakfield-Alabama High School has been arrested and charged with sexual abuse in the third degree.
Hoffman is accused of abusing a female student.
Besides the five misdemeanor counts of sexual abuse, Hoffman is charged with one count of endangering the welfare of a child and one count of official misconduct.
WBTA's Dan Fischer spoke with Oakfield-Alabama Superintendent Christopher Todd, who said Hoffman voluntarily resigned when the allegations surfaced in March. Todd said parents in the district were immediately notified of the allegations. School officials became involved when information came forward that raised concerns about Hoffman's conduct with the student.
Juvenile Officer J.K. Dehm of the Sheriff's Office said in a release, "During a period from February 2009 to March 2009 Kerry Hoffman acted in a manner likely to be harmful to a child less than seventeen years old."
Hoffman was arraigned in the Town of Oakfield by Justice Graham and released under supervision.
I am curious, how were the
I am curious, how were the parents of the district notified? I am a parent and I know that I was not notified, nor were parents that I have spoken to. The only way the parents' knew the story and allegations, is through the students and what they had heard at school. So who exactly was notified and how were they notified?
I was never notified either.
I was never notified either. Good question Nancy...exactly WHO was notified, and HOW?
The radio report kept
The radio report kept emphasising that Oakfield-Alabama Superintendent Christopher Todd gave a "carefully worded" statement. I wonder if was because of the notification to parents or lack of?
ok.. Hoffman worked at
ok.. Hoffman worked at Keshequa high before going to Oakfield-Alabama.. i was a student of his (and im a female).. and just to inform all of you who might be thinking negativly about him, he would NEVER do anything like that. Yes, i will not say that he wasnt involved in a students life, but that helped him gain our trust. we felt was had someone to talk to.. someone who would really listen and help us with what ever problem we had... i remember that when my boyfriend broke up with me and i started to cry right before the winter concert when i saw my ex once again.. hoffman was there for me to listen.. hes a nice guy and turned keshequa into the best band it has been for years..
so im just saying, dont judge the guy until you know as well as i (and the rest of Keshequa) does
Hope, it is my sincere hope
Hope, it is my sincere hope that the allegations against Hoffman aren't true. Anyone in a teaching position is given the most sacred treasure a parent has, a child.
Parents put their trust in those who have day to day contact with our children. That is why this is so serious. He is a young adult in contact with young, impressionable students. Perhaps he is guilty of nothing more than lack of good judgement. Hopefully, for the student and for him it is nothing more.
In the meantime, the school officials, etc. will have the heavy burden of determining the outcome. The best case scenario is that he will be exonerated, but this stain will be on his record for the remainder of his adult career. The worst case, of course, is that he is guilty as charged and will lose, not only his livlihood, but his freedom for the remainder of his life as he will be marked as a registered sex offender.
Teachers, just as anyone else are human, are not plaster idols. They live lives very much like anyone else. However, they are held to a higher standard in their demeanor and their actions. As I said, this may have been a lapse of good judgement on the part of a young male teacher. For the sake of all involved, I hope it isn't more.
We'll have to wait and see.
I went to Roberts Wesleyan
I went to Roberts Wesleyan College with Kerry. He is a good Christian man and a talented musician. As a graduate of OACS who was in band and touched by the life of the late John Mikulski, I was thrilled to learn that Kerry was chosen to fill the position after John passed away. I hope and pray that the truth comes out and that Kerry will be cleared. I know all too well how the damages caused by rumors in this small town can never be undone, even if found to be false. Love and prayers to all of OACS.
Scott Grefrath
OACS 1992
RWC 96,00,02