High school teacher charged with battery

A Lawrence High School teacher has been charged with misdemeanor battery and property damage after allegedly attacking the Garnett school district’s superintendent at a youth flag football game.

LHS vocational teacher Mark Rickabaugh allegedly attacked Garnett Supt. Gordon Myers at the game in which Rickabaugh’s son was playing, Garnett police said.

Myers attended the Nov. 8 game with Rickabaugh’s former wife.

Officials with the Lawrence school district were not willing to comment on the issue Tuesday, saying only “this matter has been brought to our attention and we are reviewing information available to us.”

LHS Principal Steve Nilhas said Rickabaugh taught classes Tuesday.

According to district policy, a teacher can be suspended for a variety of reasons including unprofessional conduct.

Rickabaugh is scheduled to appear before a municipal court judge next week in Garnett. If convicted, he could face fines of up to $1,000 and six months in jail.