Greenon teacher retires amid sexual misconduct allegations

Parents packed the school board meeting at Greenon Local Schools following sexual misconduct allegations against a teacher in February. Parker Perry/ STAFF

Parents packed the school board meeting at Greenon Local Schools following sexual misconduct allegations against a teacher in February. Parker Perry/ STAFF

A Greenon teacher who has been at the center of an investigation into sexual misconduct claims has retired.

The Greenon Board of Education approved Larry Yowler’s retirement last week, Greenon Superintendent Brad Silvus said. Yowler was a second-grade teacher and had worked for the district for about 20 years, according to his personnel file.

READ: 2nd sex misconduct accusation filed against Indian Valley teacher

Yowler was put on paid leave by the district in January after a parent filed a protection order request in Clark County Common Pleas Court alleging that her daughter said Yowler touched her private areas and forced her to sit on his lap during reading time.

In February, a second domestic protection order request was filed by a parent of another Indian Valley Intermediate School girl alleging he had touched her inappropriately.

The Clark County Sheriff Office continues its investigation into the claims, Lt. Kristopher Shultz said. No criminal charges have been filed against Yowler.

MORE: Trial possible in case accusing Greenon teacher of sexual misconduct

A phone call and an email sent to Yowler’s attorney, Samuel Petroff, weren’t returned. Silvus declined further comment in an email.

Some parents of children in his classroom have spoken in support of Yowler, calling him one of the best teachers in the district.

MORE: Parents show support for Greenon teacher

The protection order requests continue to make their way through court and have been merged into one case.

A phone conference was scheduled to be held on April 27. A court representative told the Springfield News-Sun on Thursday that the court likely will set another phone conference date in the near future for the case.

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