Teacher accused: Inappropriate conduct

MONTICELLO, Ind. (WLFI) - A middle school teacher in Monticello has been suspended, with pay, following his arrest on child seduction charges.

26-year-old Scott Hardy is a special education teacher at Roosevelt Middle School and the varsity wrestling coach at Twin Lakes High School.

Hardy was arrested Tuesday. Twin Lakes School Superintendent Tom Fletcher said students and parents called Twin Lakes administrators about allegations of inappropriate contact between Hardy and a 16-year-old girl.

"We responded immediately. I was reviewed at noon yesterday. After they had been working on the investigation. I was at the police department by 1:00 yesterday afternoon and then the police finished their investigation," said Fletcher.

Fletcher said from the information provided by the Monticello Police Department, no other students were contacted inappropriately. He said counseling is available for students that want to talk.

Hardy has been with the corporation for two years.

Fletcher said Hardy started as a teacher's aide in the special needs program at Twin Lakes High School.

Fletcher said former wrestling coach Ken Halston will take over for the rest of the season for the Twin Lakes High School wrestling team.

Hardy was released after posting $5,000 bond.

The White County prosecutor expects an initial hearing for early next week.