WEST FARGO – The West Fargo School Board is doing its own investigation into whether Aaron Knodel violated any ethics policies and if he should return to his job as a high school English teacher.
The 2014 North Dakota Teacher of the Year was recently acquitted of criminal charges accusing him of having a sexual relationship with a student in 2009.
West Fargo Superintendent David Flowers said Monday he would present a report to the school board on July 27 about whether to take action on Knodel's position.
"We respect and accept the decision of the court on those charges and consider Mr. Knodel exonerated," Flowers said from a prepared statement on Monday. "Our focus is on questions of behavior and judgment, and whether any ethical lines were crossed that would cause us concern or influence recommendations regarding Mr. Knodel's employment in the district."
Knodel was suspended without pay last August when he was charged with five felony counts of corruption of a minor. In June, Knodel was acquitted of three of the charges and a Cass County District Judge dismissed the remaining two.
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At that time, Flowers said the district would make any decisions about Knodel's employment until after the state licensing board met on Aug. 3.
