Sex with NJ student, 17, leads to official misconduct charges

English teacher Celeste Adamski, of Kearny HS (NJ), has pleaded guilty to a single count of 3rd degree official misconduct for having sex with a 17 year old student in a car January 24, 2007. The investigation started when two students, both the victim that she was charged for, and an 18 year old student, approached school officials with allegations of inappropriate conduct. Adamski was suspended with pay in June after a three-year teaching stint. Her husband is a history teacher in good standing at Kearney High.

Normally, a 3rd degree official misconduct charge in New Jersey carries a sentence of 3 to 5 years, but prosecutors will request probation only when she is sentenced on November 30.
Since the victim is over the AOC in New Jersey (which is 16), Adamski was charged with official misconduct instead of sexual offenses, which spared her the burden of a Sex Offender Registry listing. However, under the terms of her plea agreement, she will lose her teaching job, surrender her teaching license and as a felon convicted of official misconduct, be barred from taking another public job in New Jersey.

In June, another New Jersey teacher, Timothy Zisa pleaded guilty to official misconduct for kissing three teenage female students and having sex with two of them after they turned 18.

(Update 12-1-07) Adamski was sentenced to 2 years probation, 50 hours of community service, a $155 fine, and forfeited not only her teaching license, but the right to hold any public office in New Jersey.

This is the Jersey Journal's account of Adamski's reaction.

Adamski seemed tense but composed, first resting balled fists on the table in front of her, then clasping her hands, and finally clutching her right elbow with her left hand, draping an arm across her stomach. [She's] pregnant with her second child by her husband, said [defense attourney John]Young, who added that the baby is due in June.

While serving her probation, Adamski will be a "stay-at-home mom" for her 2-year-old son, and she will continue to undergo psychiatric therapy and counseling, Young said.
"She's happy to be able to put this behind her," Young said after the sentencing. "She's prepared to get on with the rest of her life."

Reference:

No Prison Time For Sex Teach