High school teacher charged with sexual relations with student

This video requires the free QuickTime plug-in.

— The teacher at the center of the controversy, 31 year-old Katherine Harder, taught at Manhattan High and at K-State over the past few years.

Michele Jones, communications coordinator for USD 383, said Harder was a good teacher.

"Ms. Harder was a language arts teacher at Manhattan High School. She had worked for us for about three years, and she resigned from employment this morning," Jones said.

Katherine Harder

Katherine Harder

Harder and the boy drove down this road to a secluded area outside of Manhattan.

And this is where Pottawatomie County police say they found the two in a car about 10 o’clock Wednesday night, the Spillway Marina at Tuttle Creek State Park.

Authorities say the 31-year-old teacher was having sex with one of her students, a boy, 17-years-old.

Though this arrest has rattled the Manhattan School District, Jones says it's not the school's first sex scandal.

"I had heard through the..just the grapevine that it happened many years ago, so that would have been at least nine years ago, which would have been before my time," Jones said.

School administrators are planning to meet with students and parents wanting answers.

Katherine Harder was released today from jail on a $3,000 bond. She faces five to 13 months in jail if she's convicted.


Comments

Note: ktka.com does not necessarily condone the comments here, nor vouch for the factual claims made therein. Nor do we review every post.

Mar. 28, 2008 at 1:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)Beavis (anonymous)

Harder... hehheh, heh

Mar. 28, 2008 at 1:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)ozdude766 (anonymous)

What an unfortunate last name to have in this situation...

Mar. 28, 2008 at 2:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)moderately_big_kahuna (anonymous)

Is her neck photoshopped? I bet her car has a sunroof.

Mar. 28, 2008 at 2:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)JamesBond (anonymous)

Whoa! I wonder if they make Turtle necks in 4X for just the neck?

Mar. 28, 2008 at 5:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)lp_green29 (anonymous)

mrs harder is(was) actually my teacher, and i, along with the rest of the school still cannot believe that MRS HARDER of all people did this. its craaazzy. and its really ironic cuz we JUST finished reading The Scarlet Letter in that class...
and its funny you point out her neck...we ALL make fun of it. and thats an outdated picture of her. she has more curly hair and its about 2 inches longer.
and you think its funny about her name? well, the kids last name was ***.
WE MISS YOU K-HARD!!!!!

(Web staff note: Our news policy does not allow for identification of any minor involved in such a case as this.)

Mar. 28, 2008 at 6 p.m. (Suggest removal)lp_green29 (anonymous)

AAANND she adopted a baby that was a seniors kid. she had it when she was a sophmore, and just to show you how much everybody loved mrs harder, this girl gave her child to her. but i feel bad for the kid now, and the husband.

Mar. 28, 2008 at 10:53 p.m.Sparklydood (anonymous)

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

Mar. 29, 2008 at 8:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)tfabri (anonymous)

She's a pretty hot teacher, a lot hotter than anything I ever had as a student. I just can't figure out why these teachers are going hog wild over these kiddies when all they have to do is ask and they can have a real man.....like me.

Mar. 29, 2008 at 11:41 p.m.Sparklydood (anonymous)

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

Mar. 30, 2008 at 9 a.m. (Suggest removal)Devlin (anonymous)

I still don't get the double hyprocacy involved . I see all these nabbings of these ' bad' women taking advantage of these sweet little innocent boys ,[ HA ],raging hormones right out of the gate, BUT a 19 yr. old [ adult ]can get a 15 yr. old pregnant and it's fodder for all the national tabloids and yellow dog journalism . She gets 'rewarded' with a television program , and he [ the overgrown oaf ] cruises along for the ride , without any reprecussions from her family or the LAW . ....yeah , I know life is all about justice . JUST US !

May. 7, 2008 at 5:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)Jack209 (anonymous)

These types of sex scandals in <A HREF=http://www.privateboardingschools.info/>high schools </A> are very harmful for students that are at a crucial phase of their life. This must be stopped.

http://www.privateboardingschools.info/

Post a comment

(Requires free registration.)

Username:
Password: (Forgotten your password?)

Comment:

Advertisement

Keep an eye on Topeka's weather with the 49 ABC News Sky Cam.

On the air

See what's on ABC on our online TV schedule

  • Coming up on 49 News at 10 -- A solution to high gas prices is putting some people at risk. Tonight, the trouble caused by more people ditching their cars and riding bicycles everywhere.
  • And don't let the hot weather fool you...College football season is almost here. We'll preview the Jayhawks upcoming season.
  • Plus, we continue our series on volunteers with a heart-warming story of giving. How one group's mission has gone to the dogs.
  • Go farther on less. Check out the cheapest gas prices in Kansas.
  • Win with KTKA! Find out how and read our official contest rules.

Online chats

Your Heroes

Salute Your Hero
49 News wants to share personal stories of military service. If you have served or know someone who has, share the story online and on 49 News. Submit a Your Hero story.

See Your Heroes photo gallery here.

Submit a 49 Sports Challenge!

Click on the image to challenge 49 Sports Anchor Dave DeCandis to a sport of your choice. Submit your challenge today.

Digital Television Info

By Feb. 17, 2009, all television transmissions will be digital. KTKA is counting down to that day. Will your television screen go black? Tap into resources that will aid you in making the switch. You might find you don't need to do anything at all. Go.

Premier Club


KTKA recognizes outstanding businesses. Go.


Events calendar

More from today | Submit an event »

Voices

Latest blog entries

An Interesting Night

From I Heart Local Music

It's not every day you come across one of these in Downtown Lawrence.

Interested in writing a blog? Send us a few sample entries! Let us know what you're interested in writing about, the experience you have with your topic, and anything else you think we'll find useful to know.

Latest blog comments:

Want to comment on the news?

Now you can - register for a free account and post comments to stories, blogs, podcasts and more, only on 49abcnews.com. Go »

Poll

Will the 70-cent minimum wage increase improve your life?

See the results without voting »


Guides

Arts

Movies

More from Arts & Entertainment...

AP Video