A Belvidere North High School teacher faces criminal charges.¬¨‚Ć She’s accused of having sexual contact with a student.Police arrested poplar grove’s Jenee Blackert on Thursday. Investigators say a 17-year-old student reported the inappropriate contact on Sunday, July 28th.The 30 year old social studies teacher was charged with four counts of criminal sexual assault and taken to the Boone County jail. She’s since bonded out.At Belvidere North High School, parents and their teenagers spent the day picking up school schedules and getting ready for the new year, with a teacher’s recent arrest in the back of their minds.”I’d be scared to death if it happened to one of my kids,” says Carol Klein, the mother of two high schoolers.
WREX.com – Rockford’s News Leader
Gary Monto, who’s daughter is going to be a Senior says, “It’s just not right.”
Returning to the classroom means new clothes and school supplies. Klein and Monto say they are preparing their students with something more. Their children will start the school year with some real-life advice.
“We talk about it with my daughter about how to be safe, and know the signs. If you’re uncomfortable, get out. Get out fast,” says Monto.
“I talk to my kids about people who should touch them and who shouldn’t touch you, and making sure that they’re aware it could be anybody,” says Klein.
Belvidere School Superintendent Michael Houselog says the high school is cooperating with investigators.  Blackert is on unpaid leave until further notice.
“I’m sure that they’ll do whatever they need to do to make sure that these kids are safe,” says Klein.
Investigators say the contact between Blackert and the student did not happen at Belvidere North High School, although they wouldn’t say exactly where.
Criminal sexual assault is a felony, which means if Blackert is found guilty, she could face four to 15 years in prison.
This is not the first time a Belvidere school district teacher was charged with sexual assault.
Back in 2008, another Belvidere School District, Loren Leoni, a teacher and volleyball coach  was charged with a similar crime. She got 48 months of probation and had to register as a sex offender.