Campbell teacher appears in court for sexual battery charge

Staff report

CAMPBELL

A former Campbell Memorial High School teacher, who is charged with having a relationship with a minor student, has waived her right to a preliminary hearing within 15 days.

Shannon Pavlansky-Wojtowicz, 30, appeared in court Tuesday morning on a sexual-battery charge. She was released on a $1,500 bond, said Law Director Brian Macala.

A visiting judge could handle the case as her brother works for the Campbell Police Department, and her father also works for the city as a computer specialist, Macala said.

After receiving a tip regarding the purported relationship, Campbell police immediately brought in the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation to handle the case because of Pavlansky-Wojtowicz’s brother’s working for the department.

The matter could be handled by direct presentation to a Mahoning County grand jury, Macala said.

If convicted, Pavlansky-Wojtowicz faces a prison sentence of up to three years and a fine of up to $10,000.

According to Vindicator files, the investigation emerged from allegations she was sending and receiving text messages with a male student that may have been inappropriate.

Pavlansky-Wojtowicz was placed on unpaid leave Jan. 26 pending the investigation, but she resigned two days later. On Friday, she surrendered to police on a warrant for her arrest.

The BCI still is conducting its investigation and could not release any further details.

A preliminary hearing is tentatively set for 9 a.m. May 15.