ST. ALBANS, Vt. (AP) – A teaching assistant at Missisquoi Valley Union High School in Swanton was charged Monday with having a sexual relationship with a 13-year-old student.

Melanie Hackett, 24, of Swanton pleaded not guilty to two counts of sexual assault.

Police said Hackett confessed that she was sexually involved with a 13-year-old boy.

Franklin Northwest Supervisory Union Jack McCarthy said Monday that Hackett, who he said had worked at the school for one to two years, had been placed on administrative leave.

Administrators “have been extremely distressed” to learn of the alleged incident involving a school employee and student at the school, he said.