No motive identified in teacher harassment, Brainerd police say

The Brainerd Police Department's investigation into the harassment by students of several Brainerd School District staff members this past summer has been forwarded to the Crow Wing County attorney's office for possible charges.

During the past summer vacation, animal roadkill had apparently been placed on the lawns of the school staff members by the two students and one other person. In at least one instance a harassing letter was later sent to a Brainerd teacher after the animal roadkill was left on the teacher's lawn, it was reported to the Brainerd Police Department.

Brainerd School District Superintendent Jerry Walseth said Monday that there were as many as seven school district personnel who were harassed by two Brainerd High School students and one other participant presently not a student. The two BHS students each received 10 days suspension last week for their involvement in the situation.

In a phone interview Tuesday, Bolduc said only one school district staff member that was harassed lived in Brainerd. He said the others lived throughout the county, and that other county law enforcement agencies also were investigating.

Bolduc said he didn't know why the harassment happened.

"I don't know why these kids are going after these teachers," Bolduc said. "It's not clear to me why some teachers were targeted over others, we just didn't get into that."

No one is in custody in connection with the harassment, Bolduc said. He said any charges would be levied through criminal complaints from the county attorney.

MATT ERICKSON can be reached at matt.erickson@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5857.