Ex-Palmer teacher gets supervised probation

A former Palmer High School teacher escaped jail time for fondling one of his students because the victim wanted to see him leave the state.

Matthew Prichard, a former art teacher, was sentenced Friday to 10 years to life of intensive, sex offender’s supervised probation after pleading guilty to a felony sexual assault on a child by a person in a position of trust.

The 16-year-old female student told investigators Prichard made sexually suggestive comments to her, pulled her shirt down to expose her breasts, fondled her and put her hand on his crotch — all on school grounds during school hours.

Colorado Springs police investigators taped a conversation the girl had with Prichard, 44, in January. He apologized and sought assurance she would not tell others, according to an arrest affidavit.

The girl, who was present Friday with her mother, declined to say anything at Prichard’s sentencing but wrote a letter to 4th Judicial District Judge Ronald Crowder.

Deputy District Attorney Abby Wallace said she was concerned that Prichard did not take responsibility for his actions because he told a presentence investigator the girl sent him notes and came on to him.

“He’s going to have to learn this was his fault,” Wallace said. “He’s the adult. This was wrong — no justifications, no excuses.”

Prichard’s attorney, Ted McClintock, told Crowder his client has “lost everything.”

“He lost his job here, his house here, his marriage and all the friends he had here,” McClintock said.

Prichard apologized for his “mistake,” but seemed to be more sorry about how his criminal behavior affected his life.

“I’ve lost a great deal in this process,” Prichard said. “I’m trying to figure out how I’m going to rebuild my life.”

Prichard is moving to be near family in Ohio.

Crowder said the only reason he didn’t send him to jail for up to 90 days is because the victim wanted him gone.

“While on the scale of sexual assaults, this is on the low range, your being in a position of trust aggravates the crime,” he said.

A spokeswoman for Colorado Springs School District 11 said the policies in place to catch such behavior worked in this case.

“We definitely encourage students to report anything they even think might be inappropriate on behalf of teachers, another adult or another student,” said Elaine Naleski, district spokeswoman.

She noted that Prichard had no prior record and many considered him to be a good teacher.

“The policies and guidelines in place are pretty strict,” she said. “We think they worked in this case.”