Former Hurley teacher's court appearance delayed

By RALPH ANSAMI

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Hurley — A former Hurley School District teacher who has been charged with sending nude photos of herself to a student is being evaluated by a psychologist, her attorney said Monday.

Nikki Pieczynski, 48, of Oshkosh, was scheduled for an initial appearance in Iron County Court, but instead her attorney, Steven Lucareli, appeared by speaker phone.

Lucareli said Pieczynski is being evaluated by a professional who has 15 years of experience and he expects the case will be “resolved in short order.”

Lucareli sought to have the appearance rescheduled for the first or second week in December and Iron County Judge Patrick Madden concurred, granting a continuance.

Pieczynski has been charged with three counts of exposing a child to harmful material.

The charges were filed by Iron County District Attorney Matt Tingstad on Sept. 18 after an investigation by the Hurley Police Department.

A student who assisted the teacher in the classroom and sought to be a teacher’s aide at age 17 allegedly told Pieczynski that he missed her. The juvenile was then snap-chatted five pictures from Pieczynski after she left Hurley, according to the criminal complaint.

Pieczynski left the Hurley School District and moved to Oshkosh for the 2016-’17 school year.

Each count carries a possible jail sentence of up to three years and a fine up to $10,000.

Bond has not been set.