Boardman teacher pleads guilty to drug charges, sentenced to intervention

A teacher with the Boardman Local School District has pled guilty to drug charges against him.

Court employees tell 21 News 45-year-old Robert Pavalko pled guilty to one fifth degree felony count of aggravated possession of drugs. He was sentenced to three years of intervention.

The charge stems from an incident from April of 2024 when Pavalko, along with another man identified as Logan Larlham, were arrested by the Mahoning County Human Trafficking Task Force during an undercover sex sting.

Pavalko was driving Larlham to pick up a woman he had met online. The two had methamphetamine with them in the car and detectives told 21 News they believed Larlham gave Pavalko the drugs in exchange for the ride.

Following the incident, Pavalko was placed on paid administrative leave by the district.

A spokesperson for Boardman Local Schools tells 21 News Pavalko remains on paid leave while the district reviews the legal implications of this case. He is still not permitted to be on school grounds or have any contact with students.

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