EAU CLAIRE COUNTY (WQOW) - A substitute teacher at the Altoona High School is charged after having a sexually explicit conversation with and in front of students.
James Worley is charged with four felony counts of exposing a child to harmful descriptions. Each charge carries a maximum penalty of three and a half years in prison.
According to the criminal complaint, Worley worked as a substitute teacher for a woodworking class at the Altoona High School in February. Because of the nature of the class, students were not allowed to use the equipment when there was a substitute teacher.
Multiple children were interviewed by police and provided a similar account of events. They said Worley was having a conversation with a couple of the students at the front of the class. The conversation was loud enough for the entire class to hear.
One student told police the conversation became disturbing, saying it was apparent Worley “did not care at all”. Worley made statements about snorting cocaine off of a hooker and described multiple sexually explicit acts, after asking students if they knew what “iglooing” and “snowballing” were. One student told police Worley taught two kids how to give a man oral sex, “walking them through the process step-by-step”.
Multiple students overheard Worley tell the students that the lowest age he would date was 14-years-old.
Two students told police they walked out of class because the conversation made them uncomfortable.
A video recording of the incident was also given to police and transcribed in the criminal complaint. It reads in part:
Male voice: “A little nipple torture right there”
Boy voice: “I dun’no what you’re talking about”
Male voice: “Bite down on it and see what happens. Yeah get donkey punched in the side of the head. Or, or, they’ll be like ooh what that? Keep going yeah don’t’ stop”
When questioned by police, Worley admitted to talking with two boys about “guy humor” and answering questions they had about sex and relationships. Worley said some of the other statements were made sarcastically and that his sense of humor is “dark and dirty.”
Worley was in court at 11 a.m. Wednesday morning for an initial appearance. He was released on a $25,000 signature bond. He will appear in court again April 25 for a hearing.
Altoona School District officials said they could not comment on the case, but provided News 18 with a letter sent to families. They also said background checks are done on all staff, substitutes and volunteers.
Dear parents, guardians, and caregivers,
We received a report that a substitute employee was using inappropriate language and talking about inappropriate topics of a sexual nature while working with high school students. This behavior does not meet our expectations for people in whom we entrust the care of our students. This substitute will not be returning to our schools. Parents of students in this class are being notified separately by high school administration.
School safety is a top priority. If ever your child expresses concerns about school, please help them identify an adult here with whom they can share their concerns.
My best,
Heidi Eliopoulos
Superintendent
EAU CLAIRE COUNTY (WQOW) - A substitute teacher at the Altoona High School is charged after having a sexually explicit conversation with and in front of students. James Worley is charged with four felony counts of exposing a child to harmful descriptions. Each charge carries a maximum penalty of three and a half years in prison. According to the criminal complaint, Worley worked as a substitute teacher for a woodworking class at the Altoona High School in February. Because of the nature of the class, students were not allowed to use the equipment when there was a substitute teacher. Multiple children were interviewed by police and provided a similar account of events. They said Worley was having a conversation with a couple of the students at the front of the class. The conversation was loud enough for the entire class to hear. One student told police the conversation became disturbing, saying it was apparent Worley “did not care at all”. Worley made statements about snorting cocaine off of a hooker and described multiple sexually explicit acts, after asking students if they knew what “iglooing” and “snowballing” were. One student told police Worley taught two kids how to give a man oral sex, “walking them through the process step-by-step”. Multiple students overheard Worley tell the students that the lowest age he would date was 14-years-old. Two students told police they walked out of class because the conversation made them uncomfortable. A video recording of the incident was also given to police and transcribed in the criminal complaint. It reads in part: Male voice: “A little nipple torture right there” Boy voice: “I dun’no what you’re talking about” Male voice: “Bite down on it and see what happens. Yeah get donkey punched in the side of the head. Or, or, they’ll be like ooh what that? Keep going yeah don’t’ stop” When questioned by police, Worley admitted to talking with two boys about “guy humor” and answering questions they had about sex and relationships. Worley said some of the other statements were made sarcastically and that his sense of humor is “dark and dirty.” Worley was in court at 11 a.m. Wednesday morning for an initial appearance. He was released on a $25,000 signature bond. He will appear in court again April 25 for a hearing. Altoona School District officials said they could not comment on the case, but provided News 18 with a letter sent to families. They also said background checks are done on all staff, substitutes and volunteers. Dear parents, guardians, and caregivers, We received a report that a substitute employee was using inappropriate language and talking about inappropriate topics of a sexual nature while working with high school students. This behavior does not meet our expectations for people in whom we entrust the care of our students. This substitute will not be returning to our schools. Parents of students in this class are being notified separately by high school administration. School safety is a top priority. If ever your child expresses concerns about school, please help them identify an adult here with whom they can share their concerns. My best, Heidi Eliopoulos Superintendent