Dist. 202 Board Fires Teacher Accused of Trading Grades for Oral Sex

Caption: Brian D. Smith, 32, of Joliet, at time of his arrest in February 2015.

The District 202 Board of Education fired a science teacher on Monday who was arrested last month on charges that he provided a female student answers to tests and assignments in exchange for oral sex.

The board unanimously approved dismissing Plainfield High School - Central Campus science teacher Brian D. Smith during its regular meeting on Monday, a school district email blast said.

Smith, 32, was arrested on Feb. 26 for allegedly having sexual relations with a 17-year-old female PHSCC student.

The board also directed the superintendent to notify Illinois Superintendent of Schools of Smith’s dismissal and start the process to suspend and revoke Smith’s Illinois teaching certificate.

Smith, a Joliet resident and Plainfield Central teacher for the past year, contacted the teen through a website called Whisper Smith and the student then began communicating through the instant messaging application Kik, Will County prosecutors have alleged.

The teacher allegedly began filling in or changing answers on assignments and tests in exchange for oral sex with the student. The teen later explained to prosecutors she was afraid Smith would fail her if she did not perform the sex act, according to the complaint.

Prosecutors said that Smith confessed to having oral sex with the student and texting her a picture of his penis.

School district officials said that Smith has worked in the district since August 2014. He has not returned to PHSCC since being arrested off of school grounds in February. He has also been directed to have no contact with PHSCC staff or students.

Smith was charged in Will County Court with one felony count of criminal sexual assault.

A Dist. 202 release emailed to its education partners on Monday night stated, “we wanted you to hear it from us first.”

This article has been updated.