Warning: This story contains references to allegations of sexual abuse.
A former Grand Erie District School Board teacher is accused of “professional misconduct” involving a female student in the 1990s and will face a regulatory body’s disciplinary hearing.
According to a notice of hearing by the Ontario College of Teachers, Michael Sardine is alleged to have engaged in a “personal and/or romantic relationship” with a student who is unnamed in the notice and attended a school within the board between 1995 and 1998.
It’s alleged “he abused a student physically, sexually, verbally, psychologically or emotionally,” the notice says.
It doesn’t specify the student’s age at the time, but the alleged incidents are said to have occurred between 1996 and 1998. The name of the school isn’t given.
Some of the behaviours Sardine is alleged to have engaged in include:
- Driving the student to his home.
- Watching TV or movies with the student, taking them to restaurants and events.
- Having the student iron his clothes and “perform other housework at his home.”
- Making plans for the student to live with him when she turned 18.
- Telling the student he was going to marry her.
- Making comments of a sexual nature to the student and touching the student’s body.
Jenny Gladish, a communications officer with the Grand Erie District School Board, said Sardine is no longer an employee. She said the school board is aware of the proceedings, which were initiated after Sardine retired.
Austen Metcalfe, who is listed as Sardine’s legal counsel in the notice, said he had no comment.
Hearing set for Aug. 26
The Ontario College of Teachers’ website says Sardine’s earliest teaching certificate was issued in 1988 and he taught English and dramatic arts. It also lists him as inactive or non-practising since 2021.
The annual sunshine list, which documents public-sector employees with salaries over $100,000, shows a teacher named Michael Sardine with the Grand Erie District School Board was earning over $103,000 in 2019, the last year he was listed.
The college’s hearing notice does not specify the school where Sardine worked. The school board covers four different counties and municipalities, including Brantford.
Neither Brantford police nor Ontario Provincial Police’s West Region are aware of any investigations involving the former board employee.
At its hearing on Aug. 26, the college’s disciplinary committee will determine if the allegations against Sardine are true.
Under the Ontario College of Teachers Act, if the committee finds a member guilty of professional misconduct, it may make an order directing the registrar to suspend or revoke the member’s certificate of qualification.
The college confirmed to CBC Hamilton that a teacher can still hold certification after retiring, and “that certificate can be revoked if ordered.”
For anyone who has been sexually assaulted, there is support available through crisis lines and local support services via this Government of Canada website or the Ending Violence Association of Canada database. If you’re in immediate danger or fear for your safety or that of others around you, please call 911.