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Ex-Unit 5 teacher John White apologizes for sexual misconduct
By Edith Brady-Lunny
eblunny@pantagraph.com
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NEW 9:30 p.m. URBANA -- Former teacher John White apologized at his sentencing hearing Friday for sexual misconduct involving girls at an Urbana elementary school, but the prosecutor and family members of the victims didn’t believe him. | Unit 5 letter of recommendation for Jon White (PDF) | White sentenced to 48 years in prison | Letter of recommendation reaction

And the judge who sentenced him to 48 years in prison said White wasted an opportunity to be a good influence on the children in his care.

“What this case is about is what a colossal waste this is because Mr. White decided that his physical urges took priority over the obligations he had,” Champaign County Judge Harry Clem said.

White, 27, pleaded guilty Feb. 20 to sexual abuse of eight girls at Thomas Paine Elementary School in Urbana and two girls at Colene Hoose Elementary School in Normal. He was sentenced Friday in the Ubana case and faces sentencing later this month in the other case.

Before Clem handed down his sentence, White, 27, read a lengthy apology to victims, their families, his family and officials and teachers in Unit 5 and the Urbana school district.

“I am ashamed of my actions and I am extremely remorseful,” said White.

White turned to face parents and his family as he read portions of the statement. He said he is sorry for the embarrassment his actions have caused both school districts.

He apologized to his wife and 23-month-old daughter, noting he will miss seeing her grow up.

Speaking directly to the victims’ families who filled one side of the courtroom, White said he realized the devastations his actions had caused them.

Six of the eight Urbana families read angry and emotional victim impact statements at the hearing.

One father recalled shaking hands with White at his daughter’s parent-teacher conference, saying he knows what it’s like to “hold the hand and stare in the face of evil.”

Several parents looked at White as they asked the judge to impose the maximum 56-year sentence.

White’s upbringing in a loving family who helped him complete an education to become a teacher was noted by the judge.

“He could have molded young minds for years into the future,” said Clem.

White’s conduct in a public school classroom defies logic, said the judge.

“The brazenness of this is practically beyond belief,” he said.

Members of the victims’ families in the courtroom hugged each other after the sentencing hearing. Rietz said the state was satisfied with the sentence.

“I agree he owed all those people that apology, but I’m not convinced as to his sincerity,” Champaign County State’s Attorney Julia Rietz said of White’s statement.

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