North Dakota teacher of the year suspended
The reigning North Dakota teacher of the year who is accused of a child sex crime has now been suspended from his job.
The West Fargo School Board voted unanimously on Monday night to suspend Aaron Knodel without pay or benefits. He had been on paid administrative leave since February, when the school first learned of the allegations against him.
Knodel is accused of having sexual contact with a 17-year-old female student more than five years ago. He faces five counts of felony corruption or solicitation of a minor. He's due in court on Sept. 5 to enter pleas to the charges.
Defense attorney Robert Hoy has said that Knodel is not guilty and passed a lie-detector test. Hoy declined comment on the suspension.
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