Montrose - Daily Press

MONTROSE — Montrose High band teacher Andrew Burke was arrested yesterday on suspicion of sexual assault.

He was being held without bond this morning.

The Montrose Police said Burke, 37, is being held on suspicion of sexual assault on a child by a person in a position of trust. They allege Burke had sexual relations with a 17-year-old student at some point between December 2007 and August 2008.

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Montrose Police Cmdr. Gene Lillard said the allegations were brought to the attention of a school administrator, who reported them to police May 29.

Police investigated and obtained an arrest warrant; Lillard said Burke made no statements.

Lillard also said there was nothing to indicate the possibility of other alleged victims.

Montrose County School District spokeswoman Linda Gann said Burke was hired by the district in 2001. He was placed on paid administrative leave yesterday and will remain on leave until the conclusion of the investigative process, Gann said.

She reassured parents and students that they were safe and said the district is working with its leadership team to develop alternatives for summer band programs.

For more on this story, see Friday's Daily Press.

Comments

Alumni wrote on Jun 11, 2009 10:58 PM:

" Montrose High is in need of reform in almost every way possible. The academic and moral standards are lax and unacceptable. The education I received there was a joke compared to my peers at my University. This incident is showing where the root of the problem is, with the teachers and the administrators. The school needs a complete restructuring. I hope one day I will be able to be proud to say I graduated from Montrose High. However, that day does not look like it is coming anytime soon. "Go Indians" "




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Getaclue wrote on Jun 11, 2009 9:22 PM:

" Sex offenders don't walk around with a giant neon sign declaring their intent. They are seemingly normal people who have deviant and illegal habits. They can be wealthy, middle class, or impoverished. You cannot say "but he is a nice guy and a good teacher" and use that as your basis for his innocence. Remember Pete Goes the MHS golf coach that was convicted of a similar crime? Nobody believed that either until he kept getting arrested for trying to have contact with the young lady involved. "




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A Little Voice To Help wrote on Jun 10, 2009 1:34 PM:

" If we do not have a band teacher by marching band, the most likely thing that will happen is Mr. Lund or Mr. White will be our new teacher or at least sit in until a new one is found.This is a really big shock to all of the band kids, myself being one as well, but yet again i state the fact that we have to just accept it and move forward "




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A Little Voice To Help wrote on Jun 10, 2009 1:33 PM:

" That consequence being first of all, being arrested, secondly not being able to teach again as the MHS band teacher.The only thing to do when life throws you curveballs like this is to accept the fact it happened and we have to deal with it and move forward. The trauma will be great, as already is, but we will get through this. "




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A Little Voice To Help wrote on Jun 10, 2009 1:31 PM:

" Innocent until proven guilty is a big role in this incident, but that does not mean that we should ignore the allegations and accusations against Mr. Burke. In this world, anything is possible and everybody should know that and be ready to deal with whatever comes our way. Every action has a consequence; either good or bad. In this case, Mr. Burke decided it would be okay to do something like this, and as it being a bad action, it deserves a bad consequence. "




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natasha wrote on Jun 10, 2009 12:30 PM:

" The article said "Sexual Relations." not rape or molestation. A seventeen year old knows what they are doing. They may not be legal, but they are old enough to know the difference between right and wrong. Perhaps this may be a parenting issue. My parents were very good at always holding me accountable for my actions and not just letting things slide becase I was young. The same should be held for everyone, not discriminating based on age. A three year old that is allowed to hit and humilate others will become an adult that will do the same. "




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Mr. Burke wrote on Jun 10, 2009 12:30 AM:

" everyone should stop complaining about whether or not they are going to have a teacher for band. a bigger issue is present and just cause he was a nice guy doesn't really mean he didn't do it. "




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My other comment was too long... so heres the rest. wrote on Jun 9, 2009 10:34 PM:

" Bad things happen. That is a fact of life. It doesnt matter that our town is growing or that our teens are "selfish." Bad things happen everywhere.
People make choices. Sometimes those choices turn out to be so incredibly wrong, but it doesnt change the person who he was before that mistake (or even after.) I hope that people will not only hold the friends and family of the girl in their prayers, but also Mr. Burke and his family. They all deserve that same courtesy, and i hope that you will have the audacity to feel the same. "




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5 Year student of accused.. wrote on Jun 9, 2009 10:33 PM:

" Mr. Burke has been a huge influence in my life for a long time. In the years that i have known him, he was not only a teacher to me, but a major shaping influence to the person i have become. I believe that he is innocent until proven guilty. Also, we should not be placing blame upon the school district for "not keeping students safe." Our school district has done a spectacular job of protecting the students and jumping through hoops for those in the community who have no idea what the halls of the high school look like. "




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unknown wrote on Jun 9, 2009 9:49 PM:

" mr. burke was my band teacher this previous year, and he is one of the most caring, respectful, best people you will ever meet. DONT BELIVE WHAT THEY SAY UNTIL YOU KNOW EVERYTHING!!! "




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avg-joe wrote on Jun 9, 2009 10:24 AM:

" concerned mother... I believe you meant "innocent until proven guilty", but I agree with you. I'm sure the girl and her family are having a hard time now too. Burke was likely a trusted "friend" of her family and to deal with not only the betrayal, but also the possible backlash from the community must be very difficult. Prayers for all involved. "




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Former Band Student of Mr. Burkes wrote on Jun 9, 2009 9:24 AM:

" I was a student of Mr. Burke's the first two years he started at MHS. Band was and still is everything to me. After Mr. Burke came to MHS, by my senior year, he had turned the band program into what the Montrose community had needed a long time ago. I am very dissapointed in the Montrose Daily Press for showing the un-needed mug shot of Mr. Burke. He is innocent until proven guilty. I, however have a very hard time believing these alligations. We all just need to wait and see how things play out in court. "




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abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz wrote on Jun 9, 2009 8:33 AM:

" i heard hes not coming back and either mr. lund from centennial or mr. white from columbine is gonna replace him!! = ( "




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George wrote on Jun 9, 2009 8:25 AM:

" Just because a person is accused by a student does not make it so. I have seen students accuse teachers over and over again to get even for the teacher disciplining them, or not giving them their way about something. Many teachers have been falsely accused and gone down over something that never happened. The law assumes teenagers don't lie. Anyone who is a parent knows better. It is very possible this teacher has done nothing and is wrongly accused. "




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Question wrote on Jun 9, 2009 8:18 AM:

" I want to know....IF the incident is true, why did it take a year and half before it was reported? We don't know all the facts. If it happened, may he pay accordingly. If it didn't, may the people of Montrose look past it and support him. "




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a concerned mother wrote on Jun 8, 2009 8:58 PM:

" I have seen nothing on this post about concern for the girl that this may have happened to and her family. How about some prayers for them? Most are assuming guilty until proven innocent, which I whole-heartedly agree with. But what if it did happen? Imagine being a parent of a child in this situation. I just feel that more consideration should be shown for the other family that is suffering right now. "




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Current Band Member wrote on Jun 8, 2009 5:16 PM:

" Burke and his family are very dear to me, and I am certain he is not guilty. Band is important, but what is more important is the welfare and happiness of Burke, and especially his wonderful children. People need to calm down until the outcome of this is final. There is no need to make any plans, or write Burke off until we are sure of his innocence or lack thereof. "




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Native wrote on Jun 8, 2009 3:42 PM:

" Rather then attacking on this blog how about we all just ask what was meant without getting mad first.
I hope all works out well for the school and it's students. This will not be easy for any of you and you are in my prayers. "




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Native wrote on Jun 8, 2009 3:37 PM:

" I am sorry for the offense that I caused. That was not my intention...the "adults" that I was refering to are the ones that have learned from experience how to be a non-selfish person. Teenagers absolutly should be worried about their education and electives, all I was trying to do was keep some of the comments attacking them for it down. Once again, sorry. My words came out badly and were misunderstood. I am a firm believer that selflessness(is that a word? lol) is something to be learned and people don't just have it. Once again...sorry to those offened...truely. "




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MHS band girl wrote on Jun 8, 2009 2:56 PM:

" Thank you BaldJim for standing up for us teenagers! You are right! We are more perceptive than lots of adults. "




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BaldJim wrote on Jun 7, 2009 5:05 PM:

" To Native:

I think you are very out much out of line to presume that teenagers are "selfish" and your "adult" status means that ADULTS are not "selfish" but rather above such childish behavior.

Most children and teens are far more perceptive and understanding of the important things in life because they are still learning. Most so called adults have stopped observing, let alone "learning".

We should put teenagers on juries to find out the facts. "




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band alumnus wrote on Jun 7, 2009 12:39 AM:

" ok, the paper should not be making this huge news until Burk has been proven wrong that is a terrible thing. Putting him on the front page before a court date has been set is immoral. Especially if he is proven innocent because then he will have to deal with a lot of unwanted attention. Second, this is not a Calvinist society most of the residents of Montrose belong to other denominations. Bald Jim what are you thinking? How do erection pills relate to child molestation? How do priests enter into this discussion? "




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MHSbandgrad wrote on Jun 6, 2009 11:57 PM:

" I just graduated this year and have had Burke for many years of band. I have trusted him and even considered him a good friend and teacher. I don't know if this accusation is true or not, but either way...there are some people who really need to stop being so selfish. This coming band season is important, yes, but so is the future of Burke and his family. He is innocent until proven guilty. Just pray for him and his family. "




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Native wrote on Jun 6, 2009 10:25 PM:

" I think that MHS not having a band teacher in time is a reasonable worry. Shouldn't be the first worry...but since when were teenagers not selfish? Everyone needs support in this, everyone needs prayers in this. The adults should not put down the teeagers for being immature(they are teenagers afterall) The adults should stay on the adult level here, and not bring themselves back down to a teenage level. They will learn in time how to not be selfish. "




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MHS band girl wrote on Jun 6, 2009 10:02 PM:

" Okay. Calling us MHS band students selfish is completely unfair and entirely rude. Band is everything to us, and we are incredibly concerned about this. I am not saying that we are accusing anyone of anything. We are just concerned. For some of us, band is all that we have and we really want for it to stay as good as it has been for many years at MHS and both of the middle schools here in Montrose. So please be more sensitive to us students because it affects us in many ways. "




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BaldJim wrote on Jun 6, 2009 11:56 AM:

" The best protection for children or young adults undergoing the stress of puberty in a society insane with Calvinest Theology, is a straightforward explanation of what is happening to their bodies and minds.

Yes, older men are often predators of young girls; so also are celebate priests sometime predators of young boys.

Both groups were trained to be social misfits by parents and peers. "




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BaldJim wrote on Jun 6, 2009 11:37 AM:

" Yet another reason why people are unwilling to become teachers. Americans are insane over sex. Look at the billion $ industry of erection pills.

The adult (especially male) accused is absolutely guilty (the police can not find otherwise) and the accuser is instantly backed by hysterical parents.

Gender makes no difference. Male on female; male on male; female on male; female on female -- same-O. Grist for the media. "




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MHS Band Alumni wrote on Jun 6, 2009 11:33 AM:

" First of all, I'd like to you remind you that Eisenman DID NOT 'happen' at Columbine- he had moved to the Eastern Slope by then. And secondly I agree with Perspective. I am ashamed that some people can be so selfish about what just happened. Let a little love in and pray for Burke and his family, and stop making it about you. "




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montrose mom wrote on Jun 6, 2009 7:33 AM:

" I'm appalled by the notion that bad stuff happens because Montrose is growing. Since when did bad stuff only happen in big cities? This situation and the one in November are not caused by the number of people here.

I grew up in a tiny town (in western Colorado- not some "scary" place like New York). There were teachers that got too familiar with students.

Not saying that Burke is guilty- I believe "innocent until proven guilty". But, stop trying to blame this alleged incident on growth or other unrelated and random reasons. "




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Dustin wrote on Jun 5, 2009 10:07 PM:

" This is not little ol montrose, people need to open there thier eyes and realize that Montrose is growing really fast still things are gonna get worse before they get better. "




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Patricia wrote on Jun 5, 2009 7:50 PM:

" Mr. Burke has been a wonderful band teacher! It's sad that this "may" have taken place. "




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Former Band student wrote on Jun 5, 2009 3:39 PM:

" I do not belive that Burke did this and i know that others who know Burke would say the same. "




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Perspective wrote on Jun 5, 2009 9:20 AM:

" Please remember that this citizen is innocent until proven guilty; what's amazing to me is that the students have already written him off and are most concerned about whether THEY will have a good year in marching band. "Forget the people involved; what about my season???? ME ME ME!" That attitude makes me worry about the authenticity of the charges. Heaven knows kids realize the power of unfounded accusations. "




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Kiana wrote on Jun 4, 2009 4:40 PM:

" I hope we have a good new band teacher BEFORE marching band season :[ "




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Just Me wrote on Jun 4, 2009 4:39 PM:

" I am very surprised to see that this has happened, but keep in mind that he is innocent until proven guilty... "




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A MHS Band Student of Burkes wrote on Jun 4, 2009 4:05 PM:

" I am so mad to find out about this. After what happened a few years ago with Mr. Eisenman at Columbine, this is so unbelievable to me. I hope that the district is able to find a decent band teacher by the time marching band starts in the beginning of August. This is so hard for all of us kids because we trusted Burke. I am so disappointed in him. "




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former student wrote on Jun 4, 2009 2:50 PM:

" Like this is the first time... at least the school district is paying attention this time. "




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MHS Band Student wrote on Jun 4, 2009 1:37 PM:

" This is going to be very hard for all of us, but it is something we can get through. After what happened with Mr. Eisenman in Middle School, to have this happen again is a big shock to us all. Let's trust that we're going to be the best we can be and make an effort together. "




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Native wrote on Jun 4, 2009 12:59 PM:

" I am pretty worried about Montrose High...this is a bad year for that school. I hope they can figure something out to make it a more secure and safe place for the kids that attend there. To have attacks made my kids...and now possibly a teacher? My prayers go out to the families, students, and staff that are affected by this. "




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