Trial For Rome Teacher Begins Tuesday

A Strough Middle School teacher will go on trial Tuesday in Rome City Court.   Mark Bratge has waived his right to a jury trial, and will appear before Sherrill City Judge James Betro.

The 52-year-old Bratge is charged with one count of endangering the welfare of a child.  The teacher is accused of inappropriate contact with a female student.  It is considered a misdemeanor.

If convicted, the Strough technology teacher faces up to one-year in county jail.  Rome City School official told the Rome Sentinel that Bratge was placed on administrative leave after the accusations against him were made.