ST. CHARLES, Mo. – A former teacher is facing charges after he reportedly had sexual contact with a student.
Police said on March 14, the St. Charles Police Department received information that a teacher at Francis Howell North High School had contact with a female student.
An investigation revealed the incident occurred in December of 2018 in the 1000 block of S. Sixth Street in St. Charles.
The St. Charles County Prosecuting Attorney has issued three counts of sexual contact with a student against 29-year-old Matthew A. Howard.
Statement from Francis Howell School District
'The Francis Howell School District has cooperated fully with law enforcement officials and the Missouri Department of Social Services in their investigation of the charges against former FHN teacher Matthew Howard. Mr. Howard is no longer an employee of the District.
All FHSD job applicants are required to obtain a clear criminal records check and a clear check of the Child Abuse/Neglect Registry maintained by the Missouri
Department of Social Services. As part of the criminal records check, any person seeking employment with the District submits fingerprints to be used by the Missouri Highway Patrol and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. All candidates for employment are required to sign a release of liability authorizing prior employers, including school districts, to furnish any information about the applicant and the applicant’s work performance, including but not limited to discipline records and performance evaluations.
The safety of our students and staff is always a top priority of FHSD. The District has strict policies and regulations prohibiting inappropriate conduct toward students and/or staff, provides continuing training and monitoring regarding such policies, and always takes prompt and appropriate action upon receiving reports of any violation of those policies. Accordingly, all investigations and decisions, whether involving the current matter or any other, have been and will be made with the best interests of our students.'
