A female Waiakea High School teacher has been put on administrative leave after allegedly having sex with a 17-year-old male student.
Because the student is above the state’s age of consent, 16, it is unlikely that criminal charges will be pursued by law enforcement, but the teacher, Nancy Ballo, is no longer teaching at the school while a state Department of Education investigation continues.
“We haven’t fired anybody,” said Principal Kelcy Koga, adding that administrators are very limited in what they can discuss while the investigation is ongoing.
“There have been allegations, none of which I can really get into, I’m not able to release what the allegations are,” he said. “Like any other teacher being investigated, they all have to go through a similar process for conduct, regardless of whether it’s sexual relations with a student, or finances have gone missing, or whatever it is. Teachers have to go through the same process.”
In a letter sent home to parents Tuesday afternoon, Koga confirmed the investigation, saying he was unable to provide details.
“Please also know that your child’s safety and welfare is always held as our highest priority,” he wrote. “Any questions/concerns regarding this incident can be directed to me personally via phone or email.”
DOE officials would not confirm that Ballo was the teacher named in the allegations, but other anonymous sources have. Meanwhile, students at Waiakea High on Monday afternoon said that details of the alleged relationship between Ballo and a student have been a major topic of discussion for months.
Attempts to contact Ballo for comment were unsuccessful. The number for the only Nancy Ballo listed in the phone book has been disconnected.
A 1993 graduate of Waiakea, Ballo has taught there for 11 years. The tenured science teacher is on department directed leave with pay, according to a spokeswoman with the Hawaii Department of Education. Teacher Kurt Iokepa was assigned to take over the class after Ballo’s departure.
Sources would not say how long either the investigation or Ballo’s leave could last.
Email Colin M. Stewart at cstewart@hawaiitribune-herald.com.