The Wisconsin fifth-grade teacher, Madison Bergmann, was arrested and charged with first-degree child sexual assault of a child under age 13 after allegedly engaging in inappropriate behavior with an 11-year-old student in her classroom. She and another teacher were placed on paid administrative leave from River Crest Elementary School. The second teacher, who was not named, was aware of Bergmann’s behavior but did not report it. Both teachers offered their resignations, prompting debate on whether to accept them or fire Bergmann outright.
The resignations were seen as an easier process than firing the teachers, as firing them could have kept them on the payroll for several more months. The school board eventually unanimously agreed to accept the resignations so that the salaries could stop after the next paycheck, providing closure for the students and their families involved. Bergmann’s behavior came to light when the boy’s parents found salacious texts on his phone, leading to an investigation.
Charging documents revealed that Bergmann allegedly kissed the 11-year-old multiple times in her classroom and would rub his legs during class after moving his desk closer to hers. Police found a manila folder in Bergmann’s backpack containing handwritten letters to the victim where she expressed love for him, her desire to kiss him, and her obsession with him. The boy’s father printed out the messages and brought them to school officials, triggering further investigation and legal action against Bergmann.
Bergmann’s personal life has also been affected by the scandal, as her upcoming wedding to fiancé Sam Hickman was cancelled. The school district has vowed to seek justice in the case and will not provide a good job reference for Bergmann or the other teacher involved in the incident. Ouellette, the superintendent, stated that the district is working with law enforcement and conducting their own investigation to determine if any other actions should have been taken. Bergmann is currently free on a $25,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court on June 10.
The case has raised concerns about the safety and wellbeing of students in schools and the responsibility of teachers to report inappropriate behavior. The decision to accept the teachers’ resignations instead of firing them has sparked debate within the community. The fallout from the scandal has been significant for Bergmann and those involved, with legal and personal repercussions affecting their lives. The school district’s commitment to ensuring justice and accountability in the case reflects their dedication to protecting students and maintaining a safe learning environment.
