A 59-year-old math teacher from Westbrook faces felony charges of risk of injury to a minor following allegations of inappropriate touching at Darien High School. Court documents reveal Sean Boardman encountered similar complaints during his tenure at two prior schools.
Alleged Incident at Darien High School
Darien police arrested Boardman on January 30 after a student reported that he touched her hip under her waistband but over her underwear during a pre-school math tutoring session on November 21. The student, who had a hip injury, stated Boardman used his index and middle fingers to press the area while asking where it hurt.
The girl emailed a counselor about 20 minutes after the 7:20 a.m. incident, appearing visibly shaken and in tears later that day. During a forensic interview, she described Boardman adjusting her necklace, moving her hair aside to touch her neck, and then probing her hip for about 10 seconds. She noted he allowed her to change answers on math tests, a privilege not extended to others, and felt uncomfortable entering his darkened classroom with closed blinds and door.
Classmates observed her distressed expression afterward, with one describing her face as “blank” and inquiring if she was okay.
Past Allegations at Bunnell High School
From 2020 to 2022, Boardman taught math and coached varsity softball at Bunnell High School in Stratford. The spring 2022 season brought multiple complaints from players, including claims he massaged a player’s shoulders, changed his shirt behind a tree in view of players and spectators, complimented a pitcher’s form as “on fire, just like you,” and made a crude remark to an injured player with braided hair: “I thought you would have liked it like that.”
These reports reached the state Department of Children and Families (DCF), but the agency declined to pursue them. Boardman resigned in May 2022.
Earlier Concerns at Nathan Hale-Ray High School
Boardman worked as a teacher and multi-sport coach at Nathan Hale-Ray High School in Moodus, East Haddam, from 2012 to 2022. In December 2019, the principal discovered him alone with a female student in a locked, darkened classroom after hours, curtains drawn, music playing, and both on the floor sweating. The student sat on a towel; both were clothed.
She initially claimed a massage for soreness but later said he only touched her neck. Police found no probable cause for arrest. DCF closed the case despite grooming concerns, as the student denied discomfort and skipped a forensic interview.
East Haddam officials state their investigation followed all laws and policies, including DCF notification. They acknowledge some aspects could have been handled differently but refute claims of employment law violations or failure to disclose on verification forms.
School and Agency Responses
Darien Public Schools Superintendent Eric Byrne confirmed Boardman has been on leave since the report, with officials acting immediately to notify authorities. “Given that this matter involves a student and is an active case, I cannot offer further comment,” Byrne stated.
Stratford Public Schools’ superintendent did not respond to inquiries. A DCF spokesperson noted a joint investigation with Darien police on the current complaint but offered no details on prior reports.
Boardman’s Account and Investigation Details
In a December interview at Darien Police Department, attended by two attorneys and a DCF social worker, Boardman said the student arrived unannounced while he graded papers, despite instructions to email for sessions. He admitted touching her necklace charm after she held it up and pointing to her hip but denied physical contact there. He explained the closed door and blinds as routine setup for shared classroom use.
Three fellow teachers reported no witnessed misconduct but disputed his claim of preparing the room for them. Boardman posted $50,000 bond and is due in Stamford Superior Court on Friday.
