Kansas Teacher Guilty in Student Sex Case - Updated

(Manhattan, Kansas) Earlier today, 31-year-old Katherine J. Harder pleaded no contest in Pottawatomie County District Court to felony aggravated endangering of a child.

She was sentenced to six months in prison and granted immediate probation for 12 months, according to a statement from Pottawatomie County Attorney Sherri Schuck.

Harder won’t have to register as a sex offender.

Based upon the report, it's unclear whether Harder will or will not actually go to prison. It appears that the "immediate probation" trumps the prison sentence. Right now, it's anybody's guess.

However, Harder was fired from her teaching position but it's unknown whether she will lose her teaching license.


* * * * *
Kansas Teacher Caught with Student
[Previous 3/27/08 post bumped]
(Manhattan, Kansas) A 31-year-old language arts teacher at Manhattan High School, Katherine J. Harder, was arrested for alleged unlawful sexual relations after she was caught parking with a 17-year-old male student.

According to Pottawatomie County Sheriff Greg Riat:

[T]he two were discovered at about 10 p.m. Wednesday by a Pottawatomie County deputy sheriff investigating a vehicle parked in the Spillway Marina Park area of Tuttle Creek Dam.

Hardin reportedly resigned her teaching position this morning.


[Update 04/02/08]

It's reported that Harder has rescinded her resignation. Instead, she has been placed on paid suspension.