South Jersey teacher surrenders certificates after sex-assault plea

A former South Jersey educator has surrendered his teaching certificates as part of a sentence for a sex offense.

Stephen Kappre, 47, formerly of Gibbstown, is currently serving a 364-day term in Gloucester County Jail. He's then to spend three years on probation.

Kappre was charged in Mantua in September 2021 with endangering the welfare of a child by engaging in sexual conduct while a caretaker, according to a court record. It said he was charged in connection with an alleged offense in 2015.

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Kappre in September agreed to relinquish his teaching certificates as part of a plea agreement, the Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office said.

Kappre held two certificates to teach music, which were issued in 2008 and 2011.

Members of the State Board of Examiners, part of the Department of Education, voted at their meeting Oct. 30 to accept the certificates "with the force and effect of a revocation."

The board acted after reviewing an affidavit from the prosecutor's office. An announcement of the board members' action didn't identify any school districts that formerly employed Kappre.

Kappre's attorney could not be reached for comment.

Jim Walsh is a senior reporter with the Courier-Post, Burlington County Times and The Daily Journal. Email: Jwalsh@cpsj.com.

This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Stephen Kappre agreed to surrender certificates as a music teacher