A Madison County Public Schools band teacher is facing indecent liberties charges.

CHRISTOPHER NICHOLAS CHANDLER

Christopher Nicholas Chandler, age 28, was arrested by the Madison County Sheriff’s Office on two counts of indecent liberties with a minor on Dec. 8.

Chandler was issued a $200,000 secured bond which he posted later that evening and was released from the Madison County Jail.

It is unclear from the arrest record whether or not the minor is a Madison County Public Schools student.

If the victim is a student, Chandler will be subject to increased penalties for the charges against him as part of Session Law 2023-128 which was enacted during the current legislative session. Under that law, the penalties for taking indecent liberties with a student or for sexual activity with a student are raised from a Class I (3-12 months in prison) to a Class G felony (8-31 months in prison) beginning Dec. 1, 2023.

Chandler had been Madison High School’s band director starting in 2019.

Madison County Schools Superintendent Will Hoffman issued the following statement:

“We are aware the Madison County Sheriff’s Office has criminally charged Mr. Christopher Chandler, a former Madison High School teacher.
After receiving an initial allegation of possible misconduct, Mr. Chandler was suspended immediately so the matter could be investigated and Mr. Chandler resigned his employment from Madison County Schools on December 8.
We take student safety very seriously, and we will continue to cooperate and work hand-in-hand with the Sheriff Department’s investigation into this matter.
Because of confidentiality laws, Madison County Schools cannot provide any further statement about Mr. Chandler.”

Per the superintendent’s statement, Chandler resigned without giving the statutorily required 30-day notice.

Records show Chandler has an active NC teaching license in the area of Music K-12. The license was issued in July 2020 and, unless revoked beforehand, that license is set to expire in June 2025.

Updates:
The license was summarily suspended on 1/22/24. License revoked on 2/28/24.