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School Board To Discuss Teacher Facing Sex Charge

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By VALERIE KALFRIN | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 6, 2007

TAMPA - A Middleton High School teacher who police say had a sexual relationship with a teenage student is expected to be suspended without pay at this afternoon's school board meeting.

Tampa police on Oct. 23 charged Christina Lin Butler, 33, with felony lewd and lascivious battery. She is free on $7,500 bail.

Christina Lin Butler

Police said Butler, a special-education teacher, had a three-week sexual relationship with a 16-year-old boy. Police discovered the relationship after pulling over the teenager joyriding with friends in Butler's Jeep Grand Cherokee.

After her arrest, the school district suspended Butler with pay until the school board could determine her employment status.

The board's regular meeting begins at 3 p.m. today.

School district spokesman Steve Hegarty said he anticipates the board will vote this afternoon to suspend Butler without pay, which is the next step in the disciplinary process.

A former substitute teacher, Butler began working full time for the school district in August, earning $35,000 annually, Hegarty said.

Reporter Valerie Kalfrin can be reached at (813) 259-7800 or vkalfrin@tampatrib.com.

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