Musings of an Over-Worked Mom

I Always Knew this Guy was Creepy.....
Aug 13, 2009 at 6:41 PM
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- veg4animals2006
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When this guy worked in O'Fallon he was my band director and I always thought there was something "off" about him. Did he REALLY think he could get away it?

This really makes me wonder what was going through that poor girl's head too. I hope she gets some serious counseling.

Thursday, Aug. 13, 2009

Alton band director charged with having sex with student

BY MARIA BARAN - News-Democrat

The Alton High School band director was charged with criminal sexual assault and aggravated criminal sexual abuse Thursday for allegedly having a sexual relationship with a student.

He is the third Alton band instructor to face allegations of inappropriate contact with students.

Matthew H. Lang, 36, of 1219 Season Drive in Godfrey, is charged with having a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old female student, according to Madison County Sheriff's Capt. Brad Wells.

Matthew H. Lang

Alton School District 11 Superintendent David Elson said Lang has been placed on an indefinite administrative leave of absence from the district.

"We're deeply disturbed by these charges," Elson said. "We are cooperating with law enforcement in their investigation. We'll do everything we can to help them and help this student."

On Tuesday, police received information about the relationship and began investigating Lang, who formerly was employed as the band director at O'Fallon High School.

Police searched Lang's home Wednesday and found information that confirmed Lang had repeatedly engaged in a sexual relationship with the student.

"The investigation has shown that Lang had sex with the student on more than one occasion at school during normal school hours and at locations away from school," Wells said.

Lang was arrested and taken to the Madison County Jail. His bail was set at $250,000.

Police continue to investigate the charges against Lang.

"We're still looking into his past," Wells said. "We tried to do the investigation as swiftly as we could."

Lang, an O'Fallon High School graduate , served as the band director at O'Fallon for seven years before he was hired for the Alton position in May 2007.

At that time, two other Alton band teachers had been investigated for improper behavior with students.

David W. Drillinger was formally dismissed as band director at the high school in 2007 after he was charged with two misdemeanor counts of "physical contact of an insulting nature" with two female students. He was accused of placing his hand on and rubbing the back and side of a female and by placing his hand on another girl's hand. He pleaded guilty to one count of battery and received two years of court supervision and a $750 fine.

Matthew A. Banks, the assistant band director at Alton High School, was suspended for several months in 2007 following allegations that he acted inappropriately with a female student. Banks had been charged with one misdemeanor count accusing him of placing his chest on the chest and butttocks of a female student that was later dropped for lack of evidence.

School officials investigated the allegations against Banks and found no reason to warrant his dismissal.

Alton High School classes are scheduled to begin Wednesday.

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Aug. 13, 2009 at 7:14 PM

ewwwwww

tericared

Aug. 13, 2009 at 9:25 PM

That's interesting! My high school band director was also fired because of inappropriate sexual contact with a student. Maybe there is something off about band teachers??