DAYTON, Ky.-- Fans cheered on the Dayton High School football team Friday night, but the conversation in the stands was not focused on the game.
"It's a huge topic. It's huge. Everybody has got something to say, you know, but she was just found not guilty," said parent Kathy Fischer.
After four days of trial the jury reached a not guilty verdict for former Dayton High School teacher Nicole Howell, who was accused of sleeping with a 16-year-old student.
From the beginning of the trial, Howell has denied any sexual relations with the boy but did say she joked with him when he sent her sexual text messages.
"I am not guilty, I am innocent. And that was proven today," Howell said moments after hearing the verdict.
Parents at the Dayton High School football game say the entire situation is causing concern.
"Even to be accused of that, there's something going on in the school system that needs to be addressed," said parent Larry Metz. “And you know, my kids still have a few years here. So you know, I hope they get it addressed.”
Howell said she will no longer teach. Instead, she's going in the banking industry.
