A former Oconto Falls High School teacher faces 11 felony counts relating to sexual misconduct, child enticement and exposing intimate parts from his interactions with seven students over several years.
Gayle A. Gander, 60, made an initial appearance in Oconto County Circuit Court on Jan. 15. A preliminary hearing is set for 1 p.m. Feb. 13. He remains free on a $75,000 cash bond.
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 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 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.
According to the criminal complaint, Oconto Falls Police Department Detective Jamie Kuhn was contacted by Oconto Falls High School Principal Steven Linssen regarding an ongoing investigation into Gander, an English Language Arts teacher with the district since 1998.
Gander 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.
The black box room has two doors, each with windows covered with black opaque paper. The doors automatically lock when closed and can only be opened with a physical key, not an access card like most other doors in the high school.
The makeup room has a windowless door. It also locks automatically and must be unlocked with a physical key.
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.”
Multiple victims reported that Gander would remove the shirts of the victims as part of the massage ritual. Gander admitted that “the shirt coming up” happened to a couple of them.
Gander said that he never touched any of the students in their private area, according to the complaint. Gander said that there was no gratification on his part, other than helping the students relax.
kpasson@newmedia-wi.com
