H-W teacher charged with sexual exploitation

Cresco - Tiffany Ranweiler-Oblander, age 29, junior high and high school English teacher at Howard-Winneshiek Community School District was charged with Sexual Exploitation by a Counselor, Therapist or School Employee on May 3, 2018.

According to a press release issued by the school, “On Monday, April 30, the HWCSD was notified that a secondary teacher had allegedly engaged in professionally inappropriate conduct. The conduct in question would violate both the district’s school board policy and the Iowa Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics.”

In another statement, Sheriff Mike Miner stated Ranweiler-Oblander did have sexual contact with an 18-year-old student from HWCSD on numerous occasions. The student lives within nine miles of Cresco. The sexual occurrences all happened during the 2018 school year. Court records indicate the defendant had contact four separate times on four separate days at the student’s residence.

The district has released the following statement:

“The individual in question has been placed on administrative leave and will be prohibited from entering school grounds indefinitely. Local law enforcement officials are now conducting an investigation.

“The Howard-Winneshiek Community School District’s top priority is the safety and well-being of our students and staff. We will continue to work cooperatively with local law enforcement officials as they conduct their investigation. While we cannot share any further information at this time due to privacy concerns, we will continue to update our school community as we are able in the coming days.”

On May 4, Ranweiler-Oblander pled not guilty and was released on a $5,000 bond. There has been a no-contact order issued between her and the student.