Avonworth band members won't compete in Wildwood, N.J., next week because concerns over student safety -- including the arrest of a volunteer band instructor for an alleged sexual relationship with a student -- have caused the school board to cancel the trip.

At a school board meeting last week, some parents asked that the trip be reinstated, but the board did not budge.

Last month, volunteer band instructor Christopher Aires, 32, of Ben Avon, was charged with two counts each of sexual abuse of children and unlawful contact with a minor, and one count each of endangering welfare of children; obscene and other sexual materials and performances; and corruption of minors.

At a previous meeting, school board President Brenda Barlek cited the police investigation and verified reports of drinking on last year's trip to Wildwood.

She said, "Knowing what we know now, we are not satisfied that we can ensure the safety of our students on this trip under these circumstances."

Among those who wanted the trip reinstated was Michael Henry, parent of an eighth-grader in the group, who protested near the school for a number of days.

He wondered why the trip can't take place "if the guy's out of the picture and rules for chaperones are established."

Students in the Avonworth Indoor Guard and Drumline planned to travel to regional finals of an indoor band competition. About 55 students in grades 7 through 12 went last year, said Superintendent Valerie McDonald.

She described the group as a "hybrid" which is not an official school activity, like the marching band, but receives some school support, such as transportation for weekly competitions. The New Jersey trip was funded through the boosters.

The district's instrumental music teacher, Walter Street, works with the group but is not paid extra for it as he is leads the official marching band.

The supplemental contract for marching band, like other activities, is year-to-year. While other positions will be opened in the coming months, the board voted to open the marching band position.

"What that technically means is we want to look to see what other people might be able to do the job," said Dr. McDonald, who said there isn't any disciplinary action against Mr. Street.

The hearing for Mr. Aires is scheduled for May 1 before District Judge Tara L. Smith.

According to the probable cause affidavit submitted by Ohio Township police last month, Mr. Aires, as a volunteer, helped with the "development and organization of certain band sections."

Avonworth High School Principal Ken Lockette contacted police after Mr. Aires told him that he had recently "received revealing photographs from a female student that were meant for the student's boyfriend via text messaging on his cell phone."

When questioned, the girl told police that she had a "consensual sexual relationship" with Mr. Aires from August 2007 through December 2007 when she was 17 years old. The police officer was given several printed text messages from Mr. Aires to her cell phone about the photos and threatening to release them to the school district.

She said Mr. Aires had asked her to send nude photos via the cell phone and that she had complied.

Using a search warrant, police found on Mr. Aires a thumb drive with recovered deleted nude photographs of the girl. Cell phone records also showed "continuous and numerous" contacts between the two.