A Jackson County teacher accused of sexual misconduct has issued his first statement since the allegations against him were made public.
"Johnie Stewart denies the allegations and is looking forward to clearing his name," his attorney Kevin Roragen told Fox 47.
Stewart has been placed on paid, non-disciplinary administrative leave for the past two months.
On June 19, a former Hanover-Horton student went public with her claims that Stewart had started a sexual relationship with her when she was a student in the late 1990s.
At a special meeting on Monday, Aug. 26, the Hanover-Horton Board of Education unanimously voted to begin the process of firing Stewart.
"My client (Stewart) is considering all of his options at this time, Roragen said.
Stewart has 20 days to appeal the tenure charges issued by the board.
If he doesn't appeal the decision, he will be fired from the school district.
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