A Vernal Junior High School teacher is in jail after being accused of having an "inappropriate" relationship with a student.
Norman Ray Bernard, 57, was arrested this week on suspicion of sexual abuse of a child, according to a news release by the Vernal Police Department.
Bernard teaches social studies and drama at Vernal Junior High, where he has worked for more than 20 years, said Superintendent Mark Dockins.
He was placed on administrative leave after the district received word of the allegation Wednesday, Dockins said.
Dockins would not discuss who made the complaint, whether the alleged victim is a present or former student, details of the alleged abuse, whether the student had Bernard for a teacher or the gender of the student, saying he was asked by police not to discuss the ongoing investigation.
Dockins also would not discuss whether Bernard has faced any prior complaints, citing personnel privacy policies.
Perry Tayler, president of the Uintah Board of Education, also declined to comment, referring all comments to Dockins.
A woman who answered the phone at Bernard's house and identified herself as his mother said she had no comment on the situation.
Vernal Junior High has 814 students in eighth and ninth grades. The investigation has focused on one reported victim; no others have been alleged, police wrote. Anyone with information is asked to call the investigators at 435-789-5835.
The Uintah School District has faced a tumultuous new year, Dockins acknowledged. The allegations against Bernard follow the deaths of two students since Jan. 1.
Ashley Maynard, 12, died after she was hit by a car Jan. 5 near her school bus stop. Another middle school student died of medical causes.
"It will definitely have an impact on our student body any time there are traumatic issues," Dockins said. "One of our priorities is to ensure the emotional and physical needs of students [are met]. We're enlisting help of all counselors and teachers."
Bernard is being held in the Uintah County jail on bail of $132,400.
