BATAVIA With no public comment, Batavia School Board members on Monday unanimously approved the retirement of Batavia High School social studies teacher John Dryden, who made local and national headlines last year when he instructed his students that they had the Fifth Amendment right not to incriminate themselves before answering an in-class survey about emotional and at-risk behavior.

We thank him for his 22 years of service, said Steve Pearce, assistant superintendent of human resources for Batavia School District 101, during the meeting.

Dryden contacted District 101 officials Wednesday about wanting to retire. Wednesday was his last day with the district.

On Friday, he formally submitted his retirement letter, Pearce said.

The District 101 board voted in May 2013 to issue a written warning of improper conduct to Dryden for his actions.

Before the board issued the notice, then-Batavia School Superintendent Jack Barshinger docked Dryden a days pay.

Jon Gaspar was the sole board member to vote no. The notice warned Dryden not to provide legal advice to students, among other things.

On Monday, Pearce said he could not discuss whether Dryden had broken any conditions of the warning.

Dryden was not at Mondays meeting, and efforts to reach him have not been successful.

Batavia School Board President Cathy Dremel said she was surprised by Dryden choosing to retire.

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Batavia teacher previously involved in Fifth Amendment dispute retires