Sask. teacher accused of professional misconduct involving female student

A Saskatchewan teacher is being charged with professional misconduct, accused of having a high school student sleep with her in her bed, making a student take off her swimsuit before going into a hot tub and having a girls' team play strip basketball.

The allegations against Martina Cain date back as early as 1986 and continue through June 1989. During that time, Cain was a teacher at Churchill High School in La Ronge. Cain was later the principal of the same school, as recently as 2015.

Cain faces charges related to four incidents involving a female student, who was in Grade 9, 10 and 11 over those years.

Staying for sleepovers 

The first incident named in the complaint was that Cain had allowed the student to stay with her in her apartment. While Cain had a couch in her apartment, she allegedly gave the student the option to either sleep on the floor of the spare room or in Cain's bed with her.

The student slept over up to 18 times. The complaint said the first incident was when the student's parents had taken one of their children to Saskatoon for health care. Other times were due to early-morning basketball practices or when the student had been angry with her parents.

The complaint also said that the student's parents were never told of the sleepovers.

Stealing from a restaurant

The second incident involved Cain allegedly having the student steal a tray from an A&W restaurant for her by having the student put the tray under her coat as she left the restaurant.

The complaint said the student would see the tray at Cain's apartment, and feel bad about what she had done.

Strip basketball practice

The third incident involved an entire girls' basketball team, which the female student was a member of.

The notice of hearing alleges that Cain made the team take part in a strip basketball practice. After Cain made the students cover the gym's windows and doors with paper, the girls had to shoot from the free-throw line. If a girl missed, she had to remove a piece of clothing. If she made the shot, the girl could put a piece of clothing back on.

Some students ended up removing their shorts and bras. One bra was apparently even thrown and left hanging from the hoop.

Removing bathing suit in hot tub

Lastly, the notice alleges that Cain invited the student into a hot tub with her and another woman. However, the student was told she had to take off her bathing suit first — which she did.

If Cain is found guilty, her teaching certificate could be suspended or cancelled, or she could be restricted from certain types of work. She may be required to pay a fine up to $5,000 as well.

The hearing for the formal complaint will take place beginning Feb. 7, 2017 at the office of the Saskatchewan Professional Teachers Regulatory Board in Regina.