Timber Creek Teacher Charged with Harassing Former Student

A Timber Creek teacher reportedly spent Fourth of the July and the days after sending “flirtatious and inappropriate” text messages and Facebook posts to two recent high school graduates.

David Clune, 34, a math teacher at Timber Creek Regional High School, was arrested Wednesday at his Chestertown Road home and charged with harassment. He is suspended from his teaching position and has been ordered not to have contact with students or staff, and to stay off of school grounds.

Gloucester Township Police say a 17-year-old Timber Creek graduate received 33 text messages from Clune July 4-8, and that Clune was attempting to meet with the teen socially.

Clune also sent 39 Facebook messages to an 18-year-old July 4-6, also attempting to meet with her, Gloucester Township Police report.

Neither student met with Clune, police report.

Police charged Clune in the text message case; the alleged 18-year-old victim has been advised of her right to press charges, but so far none have been filed.

The Black Horse Pike Regional School District posted a letter on its website Friday about the accusations, and noted that Timber Creek authorities immediately turned into the evidence to the police chief and the Division of Child Protection and Permanency.

“We take an aggressive stance against any employee who makes inappropriate contact with a student and this action has resulted as part of those efforts,” Superintendent Brian Repici wrote. “As educators and community members nothing is more important to us than the safety and well-being of our students.”

Police Chief Harry Earle said the incident should serve as a reminder to parents to talk with their kids about social media use and reporting inappropriate interactions.

“I am thankful the victim involved in this incident was comfortable in speaking with a school staff member about the messages received from a fellow teacher and that this teacher immediately contacted a school district supervisor,” Earle said.  

“I commend the actions of the Black Horse Pike Regional School District staff for their efforts to immediately report this disturbing incident, and for cooperating fully with this investigation.”

The Timber Creek case stands in contrast to the Triton Regional High School scandal of three teachers carrying on sexual relationships with students. Students reportedly told school administrators, who did not report it. All three teachers and one administrator pleaded guilty so far to their involvement.

Clune has taught at Timber Creek for eight years, and taught five classes, according to state records. His last listed salary is $53,358. He was Timber Creek's head baseball coach in 2013, but that position is already listed as "TBA" on the school's website. According to school board records, he supervised a five-day trip to North Carolina for a baseball tournament in April. 

A harassment charge carries a possible sentence of six months in jail and fines. Clune was charged, processed and released with a court summons.

The investigation into Clune continues, police say. Police urged anyone who feels they are a victim of inappropriate contact by him to contact investigators at 856-228-4500.