He did not ask for the photos but was “accepting” them, according to the student’s statement.
Core, who did not return calls for comment, is also accused of kissing the girl at the middle school in November.
Champaign County Sheriff Brent Emmons confirmed that his office is investigating the allegations.
“It’s still under investigation,” he said. “We have some additional information we have to collect and we have some people we still need to talk to before we can make a determination.”
Investigators have confirmed that the two exchanged a “significant number” of text messages but are waiting for records to determine the content of the messages, according to Emmons.
The relationship was discovered in February when the student, who is now 18, asked her father if she could “go out socially” with Core.
Core is a substitute teacher and boys soccer and middle school basketball coach in the district, according to records.
Relationships with students violate board policy and state educator conduct standards. The school has reported the allegations to the Ohio Department of Education and is no longer using Core as a substitute teacher. He is also banned from school property and activities, according to a letter dated March 5.
The district also notified other districts that may have used him as a substitute.
“It’s basically a situation where we’ve just taken every measure we can to make sure our students are safe, but ultimately if the sheriff does their investigation, if they’re proven to be false or there (is) insufficient evidence, then I’ll give him the opportunity to meet with me individually,” Superintendent Craig Meredith said.
About the Author