SOUTH BURLINGTON — Police are continuing their investigation into an incident involving a high school teacher who allegedly took inappropriate photos of a student in school.
Bryan Lynam of Burlington, who is music and theater director at Rice Memorial High School, has been ordered into court on a voyeurism charge for taking what police described as “upskirt” photos of the female student inside the Catholic school.
Lynam, 31, was placed on administrative leave following the March 20 alleged incident. He is scheduled to appear in Vermont Superior Court April 12.
Youth Services Officer Kevin Grealis said administrators at the school had received a complaint from a student who had observed the incident. Police executed several search warrants for Lynam’s residence and electronic devices and then issued him a court citation.
Grealis said Lynam is represented by an attorney but he didn’t know the person’s name. Attempts by VTDigger to reach Lynam were unsuccessful.
South Burlington Detective Sarah Superneau said she wasn’t certain when the police investigation would be completed. She said Lynam gave police permission to look at his cellphone in the early stages of their inquiry but that other electronic devices still must be examined.
Lisa Lorenz, Rice’s interim principal and superintendent of Catholic schools for the Diocese of Burlington, sent a letter to parents informing them of the investigation and the action taken on Lynam. She did not return calls seeking further comment.
A message on the school’s Facebook page said that the school’s spring production of “Anything Goes,” which Lynam had been overseeing would go forward next weekend.
Before joining the staff at Rice, Lynam spent two years teaching at Mater Christi School in Burlington. Mater Christi President and Head of School Tim Loescher said the school had received no complaints about Lynam’s behavior while he was employed there from 2011 to 2013. Loescher said he was disturbed to learn of the charges but declined further comment. Many Mater Christi graduates go on to attend Rice.
Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington spokesperson Ellen Kane said the diocese would have no comment on the matter or any individual employees during a police investigation.
“Our policy is that all schools in the diocese are to adhere to state and federal regulations that require criminal background checks and fingerprinting for all employees,” she said.
Lynam plays the organ and sings with the First Congregational Church choir in Burlington. A woman who answered the phone at the church Friday morning said she had no information on Lynam’s role there.
Lynam’s biography on the Rice website also noted he sang bass solo in Handel’s “Messiah” with the Vermont Philharmonic Orchestra.
