Vernal teacher is arrested, accused of having sex with student

VERNAL — A teacher at Vernal Junior High School has been jailed after he was accused of having sexual contact with a student.

Norman Ray Bernard, 57, was arrested Thursday and booked into the Uintah County Jail for investigation of five counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a child, a first-degree felony, and four counts of sexual abuse of a minor, a class A misdemeanor.

Bernard, who teaches social studies and drama, was placed on administrative leave Jan. 13 after someone notified Uintah School District officials that he had allegedly been involved in an inappropriate relationship with a student, said Uintah Schools Superintendent Mark Dockins.

Dockins said the district reported the allegations to the Vernal Police Department, which launched its own investigation.

A call to investigators for additional information about Bernard's arrest was not immediately returned Thursday.

Bernard, who has been an educator for 23 years, was one of two teachers to receive the Uintah Schools Foundation's Showalter Endowment Fund Excellence in Teaching Award in 2008. Award recipients are nominated by the community and are considered the best teachers in the district.

Bernard remains in jail, where he is being held on $132,400 bail.

Authorities have said there is no indication Bernard was involved with any other students. However, they said any additional allegations of misconduct should be reported to the Vernal Police Department at 435-789-5835.

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