YCS responds to news of former teacher indicted

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

Youngstown Christian School issued a press release Friday that said a former employee who was indicted on child-pornography charges Thursday was a part-time teacher at the school who interacted with students only in a group setting.

The release said that Paul Rektor, 35, of Hollywood Avenue also passed all required background checks for his state license, and there were never any reports of inappropriate behavior by Rektor by either students or fellow staff.

YCS laid off Rektor in June, according to a police report.

The release said police are focusing on activities that Rektor was involved in off school property, but the school also is conducting its own investigation.

The release said the school takes all steps to ensure the safety of its students and to make sure all staff have high standards of behavior.

The statement also said YCS cannot always be aware of what staff does when they are not at the school and that they are praying for Rektor’s family.

A Mahoning County grand jury Thursday indicted Rektor on three counts of illegal use of a minor in nudity oriented material; eight counts of pandering sexually oriented material involving a minor, a second-degree felony; and 20 fourth-degree felony counts of pandering sexually oriented material involving a minor.

Police arrested Rektor at his home Tuesday after an undercover officer tracked images of child pornography to his computer.

Reports said Rektor admitted to officers he knew about the child pornography on his computers.