The board that governs Brattleboro Union High School is debating how to respond to years-old yet newly publicized allegations that a retired educator sexually exploited teenage students.
The weekly Commons newspaper last month published an alumnus’ essay, “No more secrecy,” detailing a pair of misconduct claims against Robert “Zeke” Hecker, a former English teacher who worked with students from Brattleboro, Dummerston, Guilford, Putney and Vernon from 1971 until 2004.
Local and state authorities investigated Hecker in 1985 and 2009 based on reports from two students who said they were 16 when the teacher drew them into sexual encounters illegal under Vermont statute, according to the essay by Mindy Haskins Rogers.
Although the age of consent in Vermont is 16, state law prohibits any older person “in a position of power, authority, or supervision” from having sexual contact with anybody under 18.
The Brattleboro Police Department has confirmed the probes, which did not result in charges in part because the claims were too old to prosecute under the state’s then-statute of limitations.
Haskins Rogers wrote that she was not abused by Hecker herself. But she recounted a day in 1984 when the teacher allegedly took her to several Boston museums and then to his house, where his wife “walked into the room, naked.” Haskins Rogers soon distanced herself from Hecker after feeling what she described as “growing discomfort” for his affinity for literature with sexual themes and “a cloying hug I hadn’t asked for.”
In her essay, published Aug. 11, Haskins Rogers went on to describe a classmate identified by the pseudonym Sally who confided in her about “a ‘taboo’ relationship she had entered, one so ‘taboo’ that telling anybody could ruin the other person’s life, career, and family.” That memory prompted Haskins Rogers to request Hecker’s police records and discover a second unnamed complainant who was 16 in 1978.
The latter former student gave police a letter Hecker mailed her in 1982, according to authorities.
“If you wish to avenge your injustice and save your younger sisters from my imminent threat,” the letter said, in part, “a word to the right person would take care of it nicely. According to the law I committed statutory rape … I also, as [you] point out, violated professional ethics. Within 24 hours I would be suspended, and shortly I would be not only an ex-teacher but a convicted felon.”
Police concluded each investigation without charges because the first complainant later recanted her claims of “an affair” and the second revealed hers two decades after the then-statute of limitations, according to authorities.
The state has since eliminated any deadline to report such civil claims.
“As the country grapples with the revelations of #MeToo and searches for answers and accountability in the stories of Larry Nassar, Jeffrey Epstein, and others, it’s time for my hometown to have its own reckoning,” Haskins Rogers, now a parent and educator, wrote in her essay.
“Writing this is my means to make amends,” Haskins Rogers concluded. “As a teenager I couldn’t keep Sally safe, but now, I am the elder. And I say: No more.”
In response, Hecker last month sent a public letter to the Commons.
“I deeply apologize to any former student who may have been affected by my behavior, which I regret,” he wrote before adding further apologies to parents, fellow educators, friends and family.
Hecker did not address the allegations directly in the letter. He declined to comment to VTDigger.
“I went into teaching with high ideals and never intended to hurt anyone,” he concluded. “I do not ask for or expect forgiveness, but I will try to help heal any wounds that remain.”
More than 130 area residents have written to the Windham Southeast School District Board seeking “healing and accountability.”
“Following the article’s publication, additional former students have shared their own stories of abuse perpetrated by this man and by other BUHS teachers, as well as the lack of support and adequate response they received from the administration,” their letter said.
Residents want the school district to call for an “independent, impartial and transparent” investigation of all sexual misconduct claims “with a scope extending beyond the past 10 years.” They are also seeking an independently run ethics hotline for students and staff to report concerns, as well as collaboration with community organizations to help those harmed.
“Addressing it will be a long journey,” the letter said, “but if the district and BUHS truly want to regain trust and create a safe educational environment for all, the issue needs significant attention.”
At a meeting this month, the school board said its members met with the local Women’s Freedom Center as part of a study of options that includes reviewing not only the Hecker case but also other past and present complaints.
“We can’t undo the past — however, I can apologize on behalf of the school district for past failures and lack of action taken against Hecker and anyone else,” interim Superintendent Mark Speno said.
The school board is set to discuss next steps at its regular bimonthly meeting next Tuesday, Sept. 28.
“I want to reassure the community that we’re not going to sweep anything under the rug,” said board member Liz Adams, who identified herself as a survivor. “The reason we’re on this board is to give our kids the best school we can give them, and if they’re not safe, then something has to happen.”
