By Chad Koenen

Publisher

A former Underwood teacher, who also served as head softball and wrestling coach for the Otter Tail Central programs, has been sentenced to two years of probation and must surrender his teaching license in any state after recently receiving a stay of adjudication on three counts of malicious punishment of a child in Otter Tail County District Court.

Under the terms of the order, if Rogers successfully completes two years of supervised probation, all three charges will be dismissed. If he violates probation, the court can enter a conviction. He must also reportedly complete an anger management assessment and follow its recommendations, perform 90 hours of community service, write letters of apology to the victims and pay $2,250 in fines and fees. 

Rogers was charged in 2025 after deputies were notified of an incident at the Underwood School in February of 2025. According to reports, a student in Rogers’ class told law enforcement he was lying on his stomach during a lock down drill when Rogers stepped on his back with both feet. The victim said he yelled out and began crying, adding his back hurt from the incident. 

Law enforcement reportedly spoke with Rogers the next day, according to the complaint and area reports. 

Rogers reportedly told police he saw two students lying down during the drill and didn’t feel the class was taking the drill seriously. He said he then put his foot onto the victim’s lower back. Court documents and area reports say Rogers later admitted to stepping on two other students as well.  

Rogers is no longer employed by the Underwood School District.