Teacher voluntarily surrenders license after sexual messaging allegation

A former sixth-grade teacher with Norway and Benton community school districts, accused of sending sexual instant messages and emails to students, surrendered his teaching license to avoid prosecution.

Benton County Attorney David Thompson released Monday the Board of Educational Examiners' administrative settlement made with Walter Drahozal, of Solon, in February.

Drahozal resigned as a sixth-grade teacher at Norway Elementary School in January 2006 after the board found probable cause to hold a hearing on the complaint filed by the districts last August. Drahozal was charged with “student abuse by committing or soliciting any sexual or other indecent act with a student or any minor by soliciting, encouraging, or consummating a romantic or other inappropriate relationship with a student,” a violation of board rule of the Iowa Administration Code.”

According to board rules, a teacher can voluntarily surrender his license if he waives the right to a hearing and the board has the right to permanently revoke the teacher's license. By waiving his right, Drahozal gave up his right to challenge the allegations.

Thompson said many times school officials feel this type of activity is embarrassing and needs to be kept quiet because of employer-employee confidentiality rules but it's more important “to understand that part of our schools ability to provide a safe environment for kids is making the public aware of situations like the one in this case.”

The districts filed the complaint with the board after an investigation revealed inappropriate conversations between Drahozal and students, according to the complaint. Drahozal was communicating with students via instant messaging and email. He expressed feelings for them, commented on their physical appearances and had sexual conversations with them.

Drahozel taught in the districts from 1980 to 2006.

Statement from Benton County Attorney Dave Thompson on the Drahozal case:

Benton Co Attorney Statement