The first of two Unit 5 teachers accused of misconduct with minors will stand trial in September.
Brandon Knapp, 43, of Hudson appeared in McLean County court Tuesday for a pretrial hearing. He faces two charges of grooming involving students at Chiddix Junior High in Normal.
Judge William Yoder scheduled final motions for Sept. 9 and set a jury trial to begin Sept. 14 in McLean County Court. The dates come in close succession to meet the deadline for Knapp's right to a speedy trial.
Knapp, an eighth-grade social studies teacher, was formally charged in April with felony grooming. Prosecutors said he made sexually suggestive remarks to a 13-year-old girl last year.
Knapp, who appeared in court wearing a jail uniform, did not speak during the brief hearing.
The district had previously reprimanded Knapp for what it called "repeated unprofessional conduct in the classroom."
Knapp has since resigned and he remains in custody at the McLean County jail. Another teacher at Chiddix Junior High, Andrew Miller, is also in custody facing 42 felony counts including grooming, indecent solicitation of a minor and possession of child sexual materials. Miller, who also remains in custody, faces a July 29 pretrial hearing.
