Longtime Wichita West High teacher charged with battery of students at new school

A longtime Wichita West High School teacher has been charged in Barber County in connection with incidents involving students at the school where he teaches now, according to officials and the local newspaper.

Paul Wanger, who worked at West from 1998 until just before the start of this school year, was charged earlier this month with four misdemeanor counts of battery, court records show. Those charges involve three minors born in 2007 or 2009.

Wanger started teaching 7-12 grade math this year at South Barber USD 255, a district of fewer than 200 students. Wanger also taught math at West and was the Scholars’ Bowl coach.

USD 255 Superintendent Mylo Miller said Wanger was suspended with pay earlier this month after a warrant was issued for his arrest. That happened on Jan. 6, according to Barber County Sheriff Jason LeClair. Wanger turned himself in and posted the $10,000 bond the same day, he said.

Miller said he first learned of complaints against Wanger in October.

Parents told the Alva Review-Courier that Wanger would rub girls’ backs and legs in his classroom. One mother told the paper that he “rubbed my daughter’s thigh above the knee.” The paper also reported that he called girls babe, baby, love, sweetheart and honey.

Miller said the district did find that Wanger called students by names other than theirs. He said that had been addressed, but would not say how, citing an employment issue.

“Any time that we call a student outside of what their name is, it’s unprofessional for us,” Miller said.

About the touching, Miller said the only thing the district had confirmed was an incident where Wanger grabbed a girl’s foot and moved it off a desk.

“In good conscience and faith, yes, that’s the only part that I can speak to,” he said.

A Wichita Public Schools spokesperson did not reply to a question about whether Wanger had any complaints against him during his time at USD 259.