BURLINGTON – A special education teacher for Central School District 301 was dismissed this week after an investigation showed she had an inappropriate relationship with a student, Superintendent Todd Stirn said.
Shari Piazza of Campton Hills was in her fourth year with the district, he said. She worked at Central High School.
She had been on administrative leave since Sept. 4 – two weeks into the school year – while the district investigated the allegation of the inappropriate relationship, Stirn said, describing that practice as standard.
"The district's No. 1 priority is the safety and well-being of the students," he said.
The district confirmed that Piazza had an inappropriate relationship with an 18-year-old student she worked with during the second semester of the 2012-13 year, Stirn said.
The Board of Education took action on his recommendation to dismiss her with cause at its regular meeting Monday, he said.
"The board upheld my recommendation in a 6-0 vote with one member absent," Stirn said.
Piazza's dismissal was immediate, he said.
