Cherokee Tribune - Creekview teacher arrested on sex charges

Matthew Tamanini

A Creekview High teacher was arrested Wednesday on charges of allegedly having an inappropriate sexual relationship with a student, the second such arrest at the school in two months.

Investigators arrested Matthew Tamanini, 31, of Canton, on Wednesday afternoon after receiving information the teacher had a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old Creekview student, Lt. Jay Baker, spokesman with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, said in a release.

Tamanini, a drama and English teacher who has taught at the school for six years, is charged with two counts of sexual assault against a person in custody, Baker said.

Baker said Cherokee County School District Police notified detectives of the allegation Wednesday morning.

“It is believed the relationship with the student has been ongoing for approximately four months,” Baker said. “Investigators believe that the assaults occurred on the Creekview campus on at least two occasions.”

Tamanini is in custody at the Cherokee Adult Detention Center and a Wednesday afternoon bond hearing set his bond at $44,400 with special conditions set by Judge Nancy Carson.

The school district issued a statement Wednesday saying Tamanini has been reassigned to a non-school worksite because of the criminal investigation under way by the Cherokee Sheriff’s Office.

“The principal of Creekview was made aware of the allegations on Tuesday and the Cherokee County School District Police Department was alerted,” district spokeswoman Barbara Jacoby said in the statement. “Superintendent (Dr. Frank Petruzielo) immediately authorized an internal investigation on Tuesday; this action authorized the CCSD Police to contact the Sheriff’s Office, which began a criminal investigation this morning.”

She added that a letter explaining the situation to Creekview parents would be sent home with students Wednesday.

In the letter, Principal Dr. Adrian Thomason sad he was “deeply concerned” for his staff member’s alleged behavior.

“Creekview High School neither accepts nor condones inappropriate or unprofessional behavior demonstrated by our teachers, staff or students,” Thomason wrote in the letter, adding Creekview administration will continue to cooperate fully with the ongoing investigation.

Jacoby said Tamanini was hired by CCSD in May 2007. The district’s standard operating procedure relative to continued employment pending the outcome of an investigation will apply, she added.

This is the second arrest of a Creekview teacher this school year, police reports show.

Blake Bearden, 31, was arrested Nov. 28, 2012, and charged with four counts of sexual assault for allegedly having a three-month long relationship with a 17-year-old student.

Bearden was a special education and track and cross country coach at the school.

Comments

(22)

Concerned Parent

January 18, 2013

I do not understand why this teacher was still allowed to be at the school after his previous relationship with a student became known. My understanding is that he was in an ongoing relationship with another previous drama student who graduated a couple of years ago. That information was widely known, but not until after the student graduated. The fact that he was dating a young girl, one who played lead in the school musicals, whether it was during her senior year or directly after graduation was disturbing to me.

Just Saying.

February 01, 2013

That student deserved every single one of her roles, including the lead parts! She is an amazing person that has lived a very honorable life. She is the last person that deserved to have something of this nature blemish her reputation.

Former Student

January 17, 2013

It takes two.... thats all I can say... Theyre BOTH in the wrong!!!! Im not defending Tamanini at all but stop blaming it all on him because its just as much her fault too!!!!

Still Shocked Studen

I personally could not believe it when I heard the Drama Department teacher had been arrested. I didn't want to. He is a good teacher and an excellent director, he helped put on some of the best shows that have been in the theatre at Creekview. As being both a cast and crew member of the Drama Department, I can personally say the entire department was extremely shocked and saddened to know our beloved T would do something like this. Even though Mr. Tamanini has confessed and proven guilty(It was all over the school and even the teachers could confirm it by 7th period), he will still be greatly missed by the parent helpers and the students in the Drama program at Creekview. God help his and the girl's souls...

Danny Zuko 2012

We must remember above all else, Matthew 7:1-Do not judge. Yes, Mr. T made a terrible mistake, but in God's eyes his sin is no greater than any of ours. Compassion and sympathy for everyone involved and affected by this is what is needed. Now is not the time for slander, abhorrant agendas, pointless/irrelevant claims, or anymore hateful words. Love is what everyone needs right now and the love of Christ redeems all. I was only at Creekview for my senior year and was only part of the drama department for two months. Those two months were the best of my high school life. I learned a lot from Mr. Tamanini just like so many other students. I really hope we can all learn from this that everything is not as it seems, but love is always the answer. Keeping everyone at Creekview and elsewhere in my prayers. <3

Mom-Creekview Senior

I believe a person is innocent until proven guilty first of all. But, if the allegations are true then there is no question where the responsibility lies...the teacher is the adult and is responsible to protect our children. The reality is that there has been a very real and undeniable aura of promiscuousness at Creekview...since my daughter started 4 yrs ago. The environment needs to be changed if things are going to get better. Both teachers and students should act and behave in a manner that is respectful of others. My daughter has felt extremely uncomfortable sitting among her peers who wear dresses clear up to their butt...dress codes completely ignored by administrators even though it is in clear violation of school policy. Flirting taking place among teacher/students...again ignored. The faculty is just as if not MORE responsible. Sadly, my daughter wasn't surprised in either case over these past 2 months. Im not saying the girls are asking for it, but teachers, parents. and teens need to act responsibly alike because when they don't, the end result is EVERYONE gets hurt.

Angie: Creekview Mom

I don't know why I am surprised by people who judge and condemn. But,I always am. The key word, at least at this point, is ALLEDGEDLY. Nothing has been proven, and until it is, Mr. T deserves to be suported by the school and by the drama dept. Why do we automatically assume that the teenager is telling the truth? I have teens at Creekview and they are filled with angst, drama, and exaggeration on a daily basis. Mr Tamanini is a good man and a good teacher. He cares about the school, the kids, and the drama program. He puts in hours of extra work and nurtures and guides those kids to reach high. I pray to God that he is innocent. And if he is, then I pray that his reputation and career and his heart can survive. If he's not, I have compassion for a good man who made a bad choice and now must pay the consequences. I have compassion for the teenage accuser whether she has been truthful or not. Her life has been forever changed either way. The fact is, no matter what the outcome, no one wins here. My daughter, and all of the drama kids are heartbroken. We, as parents are forced to teach our kids about heartbreak, betrayal, and disappointment. They love this teacher. He has given them so much. They deserve to be treated as kids who are hurting - with compassion and understanding rather than hurtling slurs and words that condemn and villify someone they love. Treat them gently, please. Mr. T, his accuser, the kids, the school and the community are irrevocably damaged by this. Everyone involved deserves mercy and compassion no matter what the outcome. My heart hurts for us all.

Agreed.

January 23, 2013

This is so well spoken. As a former student of his, i can say he greatly impacted my life in a positive way through high school. There were tough times that he helped me through and made the drama department so much stronger. We were a support group for one another, a family. It's a terrible thing what happened, but compassion is necessary in a case such as this. Thank you, Angie, for these kind words.

ex teacher

January 16, 2013

What the He-- is going on at Creekview? Sounds to me like the principal is going to have a LONG talk to the faculty on this one! HATE to be at that faculty meeting! I for one would be a little worried with my son/daughter there. Also, didn't the same thing happen last year at RRHS? Also, how about the Special Ed teacher that tied up the kid?

How about years ago, this happened at WHS? Cherokee Co School System has some issues!

Creekview Parent

Well, well, well... the almighty Mr. Tamanini. When a concern was shared about him with the previous Principal, the honorable Dr. Eddy, it was of course met with a typical "defend the teacher at all costs" reply. Mr. Drama is a narcassistic, self-absorbed sycophant who should be punished to the fullest extent of the law. It is high time the district shake up the leadership, get some new ideas, new leaders who aren't a part of the good-ole-boy system. Wake up Cherokee County School Board, changes are needed. Clean house...

Agenda...

Sorry, but you appear to have an agenda (other than the well being of all of the students at the school). Congratulations on taking this opportunity to pounce. It's about the kids, not your personal vendetta. Take a breath, calm down, and chill out. Just because you had a kid who got a bad grade in his class doesn't give you license to openly admonish all of Cherokee County Schools.

Elle.elles

I must say I agree with 'agenda'. Hate to call you out BLZ, but enough already. Take out your pent up anger from high school and try letting it out in a different manner. It is clear you have something personal against Tamanini and this is clouding your already twisted judgement. Instead of displaying any sort of compassion for the entire situation (true or not), you use this opportunity to spew hatred regarding a PERSONAL vendetta. Take your (ironically) narcissistic and hateful opinion and maybe express it somewhere else.

Okay "parent". Sure.

Creekview Alumn

If you had ever been in a play with him you would know he is not narcissistic or self-absorbed. Hope off your agenda's high horse. I'm not defending him on any level, but instead of insulting the man, how about showing some sympathy for the students affected by this. The entire drama department, in which I have many friends, was devastated. Students hysterically breaking down in class, sobbing and bawling on the floor, etc. So just stop making matters worse by insulting someone so many had come to care about so much.

Sad Drama

very sad day at Creekview, particularly for the Drama organization

SHIRLEY NICHELSON

MY OPINION IS, THIS IS NOT RAPE. THE STUDENT SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO COME BACK TO THAT SCHOOL. I HAVE 2 GRAND CHILDRENS THAT GO TO THAT SCHOOL!!! FROM WHAT I HAVE BEEN TOLD SOME OF THE STUDENTS HAVE SEX AT THE SCHOOL. I AM NOT TALKING ABOUT TEACHERS, BUT I MEAN THE STUDENTS. SO HOW DO THE STUDENTS KEEP FROM BEING SEEN? I AM SURE IT GOES ON AT EVERY SCHOOL. I COULD SAY ALOT MORE BUT I WON'T. EVERYONE IS AT BLAME. THEN THE PARENTS CRY WOLF FOR THEIR CHILDREN. PARENTS YOUR CHILDREN ARE GUILTY AS SIN ITSSELF. I REALLY DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW THE PARENTS ACT SO DUMB? GET REAL PEOPLE.

CMS Mom

How dare you blame the child for this incident! She is a victim. I don't care what SOME of the kids at Creekview are doing, that still falls on the leadership at that school. How can you say that this child should be removed from the school when she was preyed upon by a sexual predator, a 31 year old man who knows better and is in a position of leadership for our children. And how dare you criticize her parents on top of it all! You either have no children or you have no conscious. Either way, keep your hateful, child blaming, comments to yourself.

Mom of Daughter

Shirley, you cannot be serious! You are blaming the CHILD, the victim? She is a 16 year old girl who was preyed upon by a 31 year old man! A man who she trusted who was her teacher! I am astounded that someone could read a headline like "Teacher arrested on sex charges" and that anyone's reaction would be that the child should be removed from the school. And then proceed to blame the parents. If you're looking for someone to blame, let's turn the finger to the person who was the adult here. Not the girl who will spend months in counseling because of the damage this man caused.

There is a big difference... students having sex with students vs a TEACHER having sex with a student. A teacher is supposed to protect, educate and mentor the children in their charge... There is a reason there is a state statute that says it is illegal for a teacher to have sex with a student. The student is 16... she is not the criminal here, she is the victim. You might also consider improving your grammar and sentence structure before posting on a public forum with your real name, gracious.

concerned citizen

I am glad that your opinion is just that, an opinion. Legally, what occured is rape. It doesn't matter if "others do it too". It is wrong and against the law. Parents need to teach their children better and be better parents- get involved in their childrens lives. I hope that your grandchildren are not involved in this behavior, and that they are never victims themselves.

If Mr. Tamanini is found guilty, there is so doubt that what he did is disgusting and wrong and a huge embarrassment to the students and faculty at Creekview. But at the same time, apparently this was a four-month long relationship between the two. So whether or not he roped her into this, she could have used SOME judgement to realize that what they were doing was NOTHING but wrong. I'm not at all defending Mr. Tamanini; from the information we've been given about the relationship, I just don't believe the girl involved should be treated like she did nothing wrong. Yes, she's 16. Yes, the fault lies on Mr. Tamanini (as it should), but come on, she's not totally innocent in all of this.

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Former booster, PTA treasurer charged in theft | 25 days ago