***They're running stop signs at SW 29th and Indian Hills today....a 4-way stop put in because of increased traffic due to the SW Urish at 21st closure.....our cameras spotted a lot of people running the 29th street stop.****Speaking of 21st and Urish....the debate continues.....Sheriff's deputies are no longer blocking access to a nearby neighborhood as drivers try to find a way to get around the area. Stephanie Ramos has the story.***A TPD officer shot 2 pit bulls....one fatally....after the dogs menaced a teacher and student at Topeka Collegiate School this morning and then came at the officer.***We're at the State Law Enforcement Memorial to honor fallen officers....Brian Dorman on that story.***Bike Shop owner Jerry Morgan continues his battle to keep his shop in a re-development area......now the city has cited him for his "Johnny on the Job" porta potty....huh???!!.***We're in Lawrence today for the graduation of some 196 students completing studies at the Haskell Indian Nations University.***In Sports, we're in Emporia, for a 2nd round Emporia State softball game.***And in Weather.....shouldn't be too wet the rest of today.....but afternoon Saturday.....grab the umbrella.***We have those stories and much more coming up on 13 News at 4, 5 and 6.
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Manhattan High Teacher Caught Save Email Print
Posted: 9:38 PM Mar 27, 2008
Last Updated: 12:24 AM Mar 28, 2008

A | A | A

A Manhattan High school teacher caught in a car with a student is charged with unlawful sexual relations.

Thirty-one year old Katherine Harder was found with the 17-year-old male parked in the spillway marina park area of Tuttle Creek dam.

She posted $3000 bond from the Pottawatomie County jail.

The district tells us Harder resigned from USD 383 as of Thursday.

She had been a language arts teacher there for three years.

Her first appearance is set for April 15th.

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Posted by: Anonymous on Apr 17, 2008 at 05:15 PM
i think the ppl and the community will be able to move on with their lives its all behind them whats done is done and yes it does take two

Posted by: hum Location: ks on Apr 2, 2008 at 09:51 PM
They didn't teach this kind of sex education when I went to school

Posted by: james Location: manhattan on Apr 2, 2008 at 06:38 PM
I believe now a days, why does it matter whut a teacher does with there students or if the student is above the age of 16 and they BOTH decide to inter act with each other in that manner it shouldn't be agest the law. Teachers now a dayz got more things to worrie bout, do to the lack of parenting that is allowed in todays world. With guns and knifes and all the other dangers things that students of all ages are able to get. Plus n top of that if theyare attracted to one another and they both are over 16, i say just let it go there is no harm done to nobody at all. kids at the age of 16 are making babies any way so why not let the teacher and the student do there thing if they feel the need?????? LET IT GO IS WHUT I SAY.....

Posted by: Peter N. Schlitz Location: Manhattan on Mar 31, 2008 at 01:12 PM
They both made a huge mistake. It will be difficult for them and the community to recover from this. It will be hard for him and maybe harder for her. She definitely won't be able to teach again.

Posted by: Levi Location: Manhattan on Mar 31, 2008 at 10:57 AM
I think that people should just let this go and find something else to complain about.

Posted by: Levi Location: MHS on Mar 31, 2008 at 10:56 AM
This is going to be the talk of our school for a while but I think that the news reporters need to get all of the story out there not just that the teacher resigned. This is not something to joke about this has ruined more than just the teachers and the students lifes it has also hurt the reputation of our school and I think that people should take in the whole thing before they start judging these two. Yes they were wrong for doing what they did but that does not mean that they are terrible people.

Posted by: Ron Location: Topeka on Mar 31, 2008 at 06:44 AM
Was an actual law broken? I thought if one was over 16 in Kansas it was lawful. LMK

Posted by: Patti Location: Kansas on Mar 30, 2008 at 11:04 PM
It takes two to tango. It shouldn't just be the responsibility of the teacher to take the whole blame for it. It should also go towards the 17 year old. Both should know better and that is why both should take the blame for it.

Posted by: HeidiS Location: topeka on Mar 28, 2008 at 03:23 PM
Disgusting. What is going through all these teacher's heads?! Besides their own needs. A good teacher is also ethical and would never hurt a child like this.

Posted by: jaimes Location: Manhattan High School on Mar 28, 2008 at 02:43 PM
Teacher for three years in language arts at manhattan high. nothing specific has been released as to what they were actually doing. She has resigned from the school and almost every student of hers was in complete shock. I'm an MHS Senior but Ms. Harder was not my teacher. however, from hearing from her students, my friends, she was a great teacher who tried to help her students gain the best education possible. To me it seems like this was a very horrible mistake. Yes it was absolutely awful what she has done and cannot be ignored. But this mistake does not mean that she became a teacher specifically looking for someone to have sex with. i don't know the details of their relationship but NO ONE who knows her would consider her a child molester. Yes. she should have known better and maybe her resignation is a must... but please do not judge her for what she's done without knowing EVERY detail of the situation. MHS Students may know more than you, remember that.

Posted by: travis Location: topeka on Mar 28, 2008 at 02:20 PM
This is ridiculous. The boy is 17 and nearly 18 im guessing since the school year is close to over.

Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 28, 2008 at 01:37 PM
The 17 year old boy knows whats right and wrong too. What 31 year old is interested in a 17 year old? Get real lady.

Posted by: Tom Location: Manhattan on Mar 27, 2008 at 11:21 PM
Is this really all you know? What acts? What did she teach? How long was she on the job? and don't you think the creek should be capitalized. I think we have a right to know what reporter did this story because they did a horrible job!

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