A former Orrville High School science teacher had a clean personnel record prior to resigning after she was accused of having a sexual relationship with a male student.
Sue Link-Bukovitz, 33, faces a third-degree felony charge of sexual battery for allegations that she had sex with an 18-year-old student from October to December. Ohio law makes criminal sexual conduct between teachers and students, regardless of a student’s age.
Bukovitz pleaded not guilty to the charge on April 26. The case awaits a May 31 pretrial hearing in Wayne County Common Pleas Court.
According to Orrville police, school officials first heard the allegations on Dec. 14. They alerted police after questioning students and employees. Police reported that the student, who was a high school senior, admitted to the affair. Bukovitz’s attorney, Alan Medvick, told police Bukovitz would not be speaking with them.
Contacted Wednesday, Medvick declined to comment on the case.
“We’ll be presenting our defense in court,” he said. “Because it’s an ongoing court matter, my policy is to decline comment.”
According to school district records, Bukovitz — a 2000 Orrville High School graduate — was hired at the high school in 2004, though she previously spent some time substitute teaching. She obtained a bachelor’s degree in education from Kent State University in 2003 and a master’s in education from Ashland University in 2008.
Aside from teaching, Bukovitz also coached cheerleading for several years and served as the senior class adviser during her last year. She was paid $57,633 for the 2015-16 school year.
Her personnel file, which includes hundreds of pages of documents, shows no complaints of inappropriate behavior. Most of the documents are teaching and coaching certifications. Some are peer reviews.
One of her peers noted how comfortable her students were with her.
“Her students show a high ‘comfort level’ with her as a teacher,” wrote the supervisor. “They are not hesitant to ask questions or ‘kid around’ with her.”
The personnel records are routine until Dec. 16, two days after the allegations against her came to light. On that day, Superintendent James Ritchie filed a memo notifying Bukovitz that she had been placed on paid administrative leave. She was ordered not to step foot on district property or attend district events until notified otherwise.
Two days later, Bukovitz emailed Ritchie.
“While I have enjoyed my time at the Orrville City School District,” she wrote, “please accept this as my letter of resignation, effective immediately.”
She was charged in court on April 11 following a police investigation.
Nick Glunt can be reached at 330-996-3565 or nglunt@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter @NickGluntABJ.