Arrested Highland teacher resigns

The Highland school board quickly and unanimously accepted a resignation from a teacher accused of sexual exploitation of a student. The special meeting Wednesday night lasted less than two minutes.

“We take our student safety seriously, we feel this is what’s best,” said board member Rachel Longbine, who made the motion.

The resigning high school language arts teacher, Justin David Rapier, was arrested last week for the alleged offense, which is a Class D felony punishable by up to five years in prison, according to a news release from the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.

“During the investigation, it was determined that the sexual abuse involved a minor female student at Highland High School,” the release said. “The complaint and affidavit states that he engaged in a sexual relationship with the student while the student was attending school there.”

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com