A former Oconto Falls High School teacher facing nearly a dozen felony counts relating to sexual misconduct waived his preliminary hearing in Oconto County Circuit Court on Feb. 13.
Judge Jay Conley accepted Gayle Gander’s waiver, with an arraignment now scheduled for 3 p.m. March 26.
Gander, 60, remains free on a $75,000 cash bond.
Gander is charged with 11 felony counts relating to sexual misconduct, child enticement and exposing intimate parts from his interactions with seven students over several years.
His association with the Oconto Falls School District ended when he was first arrested in December 2025.
Five of the reported victims said events occurred within the past few years, while two victims said the actions happened when they were students from 1998 to 2001 and in 2003.
Gander is charged with five counts of sexual misconduct by a school staff member or volunteer. Each count carries a maximum penalty of $10,000 in fines, three years and six months in prison, or both.
The Oconto Falls resident is also charged with three counts of causing a child to expose their intimate parts. Each count carries a maximum penalty of $10,000 in fines, three years and six months in prison, or both.
He faces another three charges of child enticement. Each of those charges has a maximum penalty of $100,000 in fines, 25 years in prison, or both.
Gander was an English language arts teacher with the district since 1998. He was also heavily involved with the school drama program and performing arts center.
All of the alleged male and female victims said Gander massaged them while in the black box room or makeup room near the stage.
Gander is accused of massaging the students in the rooms. The massages included feet, shoulders, back and chest. Some victims said it was apparent to them Gander became aroused during the massages.
When questioned by police, Gander described the contacts with the multiple victims as “buddy buddy” where he would come up behind them and rub their shoulders. Gander said that the contact wasn’t intended to be sexual, and that “one thing led to another.”
Gander said that he never touched any of the students in their private areas, according to the complaint.
kpasson@newmedia-wi.com
