Watertown School Board accepts resignation of teacher charged with rape (Audio)

January 29, 2024

Mike Tanner

***UPDATE***

Watertown School District Superintendent Dr. Jeff Danielsen says the school board met this (Monday) morning and accepted the resignation of Jordan Bakken, effective immediately.

***ORIGINAL STORY***

January 26, 2024

WATERTOWN, S.D.–The Watertown School District has an unexpected teaching vacancy, and it did not occur under pleasant circumstances.

Superintendent Dr. Jeff Danielsen spoke with KWAT News today (Friday)….

Danielsen says they have no reason to believe the teacher was involved with more than one student.

Danielsen also had this message for parents of Watertown School District students….

Danielsen says the teacher’s resignation will need final approval from the school board, which has scheduled a special meeting for Monday January 29th at 8:00 a.m. The fourth item on the agenda is listed as “resignation.”

Danielsen did not identify the teacher, but South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation spokesman Tony Mangan tells KWAT News Jordan Bakken, an English teacher in the Watertown School District, was arrested Thursday night on charges of Solicitation of a Minor, Fourth Degree Rape, and Sexual Contact with a Child Under 18 by a person in a position of authority.

The charges were filed in Brookings County.