A St. Joseph School District employee has been charged with sodomy.

The school district said it was notified late Friday that 27-year-old Cole Charboneau was arrested and charged for “allegedly having an inappropriate relationship with a student.”

According to online court documents, Charboneau is charged with first degree statutory sodomy with a minor, a felony.

According to a statement from School Superintendent Dr. Robert Newhart, the district learned of an accusation against Charboneau on Nov. 17, 2017. The district immediately notified Missouri’s Family Support Division and place Charboneau on paid administrative leave pending further investigation. He has remained on leave.

“District employees, in accordance with our policy on staff/student relations, are expected to maintain courteous and professional relationships with students. All staff members have a responsibility to provide an atmosphere conducive to learning through consistently and fairly applied discipline and the maintenance of physical and emotional boundaries with students,” Newhart said. “Student safety is a primary concern for the district and we are fully cooperating with the St. Joseph Police Department during this investigation.”

Charboneau was jailed on $50,000 bond. A court date is set for December 19.