District terminates Harding’s employment

By NewsPress Now

The St. Joseph School District Board of Education has fired a Robidoux Middle School math teacher charged with first-degree sodomy.

Everett “Tim” Harding’s employment was terminated at a meeting Monday night.

In a statement, officials said “The District’s highest priority is the safety and well-being of our students. Upon hearing concerns, the District placed the former employee on leave, thoroughly investigated and contacted and coordinated with the appropriate agencies and law enforcement in their investigations. The District will continue cooperating with those agencies regarding their investigations.”

Harding, 47, of Maryville, remains in the Buchanan County Jail without bond. He is charged in a May 7 incident involving a 14-year-old girl. Court documents allege Harding had sexual contact with the girl in his locked classroom after school that day.

Harding has been employed at five different area schools in the past decade, including Spring Garden in St. Joseph and in the North Daviess R-III, Pattonsburg R-II and West Nodaway R-I districts.

Harding will appear in court for a preliminary hearing at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, June 11.