Tyler Baatz, 26, is slated to appear in court Thursday morning to be arraigned on charges of sexual misconduct with a minor. The Edgewood Middle School eighth-grade teacher was arrested Tuesday evening by Warsaw Police after an investigation found he had a relationship with a former 14-year-old female student.

Public outrage is building though as Warsaw Community Schools announce Baatz was placed on paid suspension.

On the StaceyPageOnline.com Facebook page, our readers have been sharing their views:

Heather writes: “… the fact that this man is suspended WITH pay is disgusting!! He has already admitted he committed a crime! There should be a loophole in this statute to not continue this predators pay!”

Jill adds, “Why is he on PAID leave after admitting he did it!?!? My tax dollars are paying this scum while he’s sitting jail?!?!”

Deanna says, “THATS OUR PAID TAX DOLLARS RIGHT THERE! i’m not very happy to say the least!”

According to Indiana Code, however, WCS has no choice but to suspend Baatz with pay, at least until a formal hearing. According to the law, Baatz can only be suspended without pay for one of the following reasons: immorality, insubordination (meaning the willful refusal to obey the state school laws or reasonable rules prescribed for the government of the school corporation), neglect of duty, substantial inability to perform teaching duties, or “good and just cause.”

Further, the law says the school corporation must follow proper protocol in suspending a teacher without pay. That protocol involves informing the teaching for the intent not less than 30 days before the date of the suspension. The teacher must also receive a written statement of the reasons.

Under that same law, Baatz would have an opportunity for a hearing before the school board. WCS is governed by IC 20-28-9-22.

WCS Superintendent Craig Hintz has announced that a letter will be sent to all Edgewood Middle School parents concerning the situation. Baatz has been at the school for more than 3 years.