UPDATE: Madison Female Teacher Charged With the Sexual Assault of a Daniel Hand High School Student

Update 6:30 p.m. Madison Schools Superintendent Thomas Scarice confirms that Allison Marchese is still on paid leave but the “district is moving forward immediately with the personnel process regarding her employment.”

Scarice said state law requires Marchese remain on paid leave while the process unfolds. She was released after posting $100,000 bond. 

By Brian McCready (Patch Staff)

Madison Public Schools teacher Allison Marchese, 37, was charged Thursday with the alleged sexual assault of a Daniel Hand High School student, top school officials confirmed Thursday morning.

“Allegations of sexual misconduct against a minor student were reported immediately to the Madison Police Department and the Department of Children and Families on January 7th by my office after a student report was made to the high school principal earlier that day,” said Thomas Scarice, Madison schools superintendent. “The police department investigated this matter and has now made an arrest.”

In a statement to Madison Patch, Scarice said, “I find the alleged conduct of this teacher vile and disgusting.”

“The bond of trust between a professional educator and a student is fragile and precious. The violation of this bond is nothing less than reprehensible. The district will take the most aggressive actions possible to see to it that any individual who abuses this bond is removed from the profession and brought to justice,” Scarice said.

Related Stories:

• Hand High School in the Spotlight Over Sex Assault Probe
• Update: Teacher Accused of Sexually Assaulting a Madison Student
• Madison School Board Comments on ‘Disturbing’ Sexual Assault Allegations

“Should Ms. Marchese be found to have engaged in sexual conduct with a student, she should face the full force of the law. Such acts abuse students, traumatize the school communities, and leave a black mark on the entire teaching profession. Such conduct is unspeakable,” Scarice said.

“The district will continue to work to ensure the safety and well-being of all of our students. Now that an arrest has been made, the high school administration has put a plan in place to appropriately communicate this matter to students and staff, while also providing any necessary information and support services to students as they cope with this incident,” Scarice added.

Marchese was charged with one count of second-degree sexual assault and one count of risk of injury to a minor.

According to the Madison Public Schools website, Marchese is in the English/Language Arts Department at Daniel Hand High School and also serves as the yearbook advisor.

Madison Board of Education chairwoman Jean Fitzgerald told Madison Patch that since this is now a police matter, questions concerning the arrest or what happens next are best left to the police or the prosecutor.

“As for the Madison Public Schools, school officials continue to work to ensure the safety and well-being of our students, and the district has services available for students who are experiencing issues following this incident,” Fitzgerald said. “It is worth remembering that school officials responded immediately when they first learned of this potential problem and have worked closely with the Madison Police to ensure that students are safe, and that any individual who abused the trust inherent in the teacher-student relationship is removed from our schools and brought to justice.”

Image via Madison Public Schools website

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