School superintendent, 35, 'had sex with student, 16, tried to have sex with 17-year-old student and threatened them before police found out'
- Laura Amero, 35, was indicted on sexual battery and intimidation of a witness Monday but she denied all charges in an Ohio court
- School superintendent was accused having a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old student and attempting to do so with another while she was principal
- Alleged incidents were between September 2015 and May 2017 with Windham Junior-Senior High School students
- She was promoted in February but was put on paid leave in April
- Wednesday the school board suspended her without pay pending investigation
Laura Amero, 35, was indicted on two third-degree felony counts of sexual battery, two fourth-degree felony counts of attempted sexual battery Monday
An Ohio school superintendent was charged Monday with having a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old student and attempting to do so with another at Windham Junior-Senior High School, then threatening them if they spoke out.
Laura Amero, 35, was indicted on two third-degree felony counts of sexual battery, two fourth-degree felony counts of attempted sexual battery and she pleaded guilty to all via video.
They're related to alleged incidents between February and May 2017 with a 16-year-old student who is now 18, and between September 2015 and May 2016 with a 17-year-old who is now 19.
Amero was also charged with two first-degree misdemeanor counts of intimidation of a crime victim or witness which allegedly occurred March 28.
She joined Windham as principal in 2015 but was promoted to superintendent of Windham Exempted Village Schools February 1 on a 3.5yr contract for $96,500.
But she was put on paid administrative leave April 1 when the Windham Board of Education was notified of alleged misconduct.
Amero was also indicted on two counts of intimidation of a witness alleged to have occurred March 28
The Ohio school superintendent was accused having a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old student and attempting to do so with another while she was principal at Windham Junior-Senior High School
The charges are related to alleged incidents between February and May 2017 with a 16-year-old student who is now 18. She is pictured in May 2017
Another alleged incident occurred between September 2015 and May 2016 with a 17-year-old who is now 19. She is pictured May 2016
The Record-Courier reports that the Board of Education President Darryl McGuire believes law enforcement brought the matter to the school district's attention.
The district said in a statement: 'The Windham Exempted Village Schools will continue to cooperate as requested by law enforcement.'
In a Wednesday meeting the board decided to suspend Amero in a unanimous vote. It was decided during the 14-minute meeting that she will not be paid while the case is pending.
McGuire said there was nothing alarming on her record when they hired her, Fox 8 reported.
She taught English at Western Reserve High School in Mahoning County under Principal Jeff Zatchok.
She joined Windham as principal in 2015 but was promoted to superintendent of Windham Exempted Village Schools February 1 on a 3.5yr contract for $96,500
Her file from the school is largely positive but part of her 2009-2010 school year evaluation says she could 'work to maintain a solid boundary between student/teacher differences'.
She married the principal's son Jacob Zatchok in 2012 but they divorced in 2013. He remarried in 2018.
Jacob is listed as working at Western Reserve High School but his father is no longer principal.
The year of her marriage 2012 she was praised for her engaged students, class management and organization in a peer evaluation.
She was put on paid leave in April. Pictured is Windham Junior-Senior High School in Ohio
Former Superintendent Gregg Isler has returned to Windham as acting superintendent.
Following Wednesday's meeting Board President Darryl McGuire said: 'We can bring in counselors but right now we haven't seen that problem. The acting superintendent is on top of that with the principals and are working on that issue, but our main focus is concentrating on education.'
A pretrial hearing is scheduled for May 31 in Portage County Common Pleas Court. Amero was released on $350,000 bond.
Board of Education President Darryl McGuire said there was nothing alarming on her record when they hired her
Amero was married to Jacob Zatchok from 2012 to 2013, her former school principal's son. They are pictured in 2012
The year of her marriage 2012 she was praised for her engaged students, class management and organization in a peer evaluation
