A Mountain View High School math teacher was arrested Tuesday morning after school officials say they discovered he sent inappropriate text messages to a student, according to a joint statement by police and the Mountain View-Los Altos High School District.
Police say the teacher, identified as Evan Smith, was arrested on one count of suspicion of sending harmful matter to a minor, after school officials were notified of the inappropriate conduct between him and a student on Monday afternoon.
Smith, a Mountain View resident, was put on paid administrative leave. He has been a teacher at Mountain View High School for the past 15 years.
The text message exchange began over the summer, according to police spokeswoman Katie Nelson. Police and district officials say they were able to take swift action because the student victim was willing to come forward and notify school staff, according to the statement.
Mountain View police say there may be additional victims in the case, and are asking anyone with information or who might be a victim to contact Det. Frank Rivas at 650-903-6388 or Sgt. Dan Vicencio at 650-903-6386.
Student safety is a top priority for the school district, and students at Mountain View High School who have experienced harassment are being advised to contact a teacher, counselor or David Grissom, the statement said.
Comments
Cuesta Park
on Nov 7, 2017 at 2:03 pm
on Nov 7, 2017 at 2:03 pm
So much for the policy of not naming arrested suspects. How long did it last? 2-3 weeks? Longer?
Registered user
Another Mountain View Neighborhood
on Nov 7, 2017 at 2:18 pm
Registered user
on Nov 7, 2017 at 2:18 pm
Um
What , .
Registered user
North Bayshore
on Nov 7, 2017 at 3:42 pm
Registered user
on Nov 7, 2017 at 3:42 pm
If you read the article where they explain they won't name arrested suspects, they give exceptions:
The policy cites four exceptions in which the name of an arrested person will be named in a news story:
• The arrestee is a prominent person in the community, a public safety employee or a school employee.
Web Link
Registered user
Sylvan Park
on Nov 7, 2017 at 7:30 pm
Registered user
on Nov 7, 2017 at 7:30 pm
One count of suspicion? Guilty until proven innocent?
Registered user
Jackson Park
on Nov 7, 2017 at 10:28 pm
Registered user
on Nov 7, 2017 at 10:28 pm
I am disappointed in the comments so far.
Dear Student Who Reported This Teacher,
Thank you for being brave. You have maybe prevented more kids from this kind of treatment. Keep sticking up for yourself!
love,
A Parent of other students
Registered user
another community
on Nov 9, 2017 at 2:52 pm
Registered user
on Nov 9, 2017 at 2:52 pm
I too applaud the student who reported this appalling and disgraceful conduct. That "teacher" should be named and shamed. I don't understand why this person is on paid leave. He should be fired immediately. He should probably be under arrest. We trust teachers with our children and when they are discovered to be be a danger to our children, they need to be removed.