Former school employee arrested

Chase Tonar, 25, formerly a music teacher at Merrill High School, has been charged with three felony counts of sexual assault of a student by school staff and two misdemeanor counts of sex with a child 16 or older.
During the 2014-2015 school year, Tonar was the high school choir teacher and assisted in the band program. The district accepted Tonar’s resignation at the May 20 board meeting. The administration of the Merrill Area Public Schools was made aware last week that Tonar was taken into custody by the Merrill Police Department.
According to a statement from MAPS administration, at no time prior to July 14 was the administration aware of the alleged facts – none of which reference alleged conduct on school property or at school events – leading to Tonar’s arrest.
However, upon being so advised, the Merrill Area Public Schools has cooperated with law enforcement and is committed to continuing to cooperate as the investigation and prosecution continues, Superintendent Wally Liepart stated.
Tonar, who now lives in Franksville, Wis., was released on a $2,500 bond.