Teacher indicted for inappropriate behavior
BY KATHY CHANG
Staff Writer

WOODBRIDGE — A Middlesex County grand jury has indicted a 31-year-old Colonia High School teacher on three charges that stemmed from an inappropriate relationship he was having with a 17-year-old student.

Michael Petak, of Marlboro, was charged with official misconduct, witness tampering, and attempted tampering with physical evidence on Dec. 5.

“He [Petak] faces between five and 10 years in prison for the official misconduct charge,” said Middlesex County Assistant Prosecutor Ronald Appleby. “He faces between three and five years in prison for the witness tampering charge and he faces up to 18-months for the attempted tampering with physical evidence charge.”

Petak, who has been employed as a high school Social Studies and Economics teacher with the Woodbridge school system since 1998 and also served as the head coach of the girl’s varsity soccer team, was arrested on Sept. 1 as a result of an investigation between the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office and the Woodbridge Township Police Department into a reported alleged inappropriate behavior with a juvenile while in the course of his official functions as a teacher.

“The inappropriate behavior began in April and lasted through August,” said Appleby. “The girl was Petak’s student at one time.”

Petak, who is married and a father of a 9-month-old child, was suspended with pay following his arrest in September.

“After the indictment on Tuesday, he was suspended without pay,” said Appleby. “Petak is currently free on $75,000 bail with no 10 percent option.”

A pre-arraignment hearing is set for Dec. 20 before state Superior Court Judge Deborah Venezia.

“An arraignment hearing should be sometime in January,” said Appleby.