By Brenda Sexton
The Courier-Herald
A White River High School teacher has been placed on administrative leave after allegations of sexual conduct between her and a male student recently surfaced.
The White River School District has turned the matter over to the Buckley Police Department, which as of Monday morning was still investigating. If the investigation turns up sufficient evidence, the department will then place the information in the hands of the Pierce County Prosecutor, said Police Chief Jim Arsanto.
According to Arsanto, the department is focusing its investigation on allegations that stem from an off-campus incident from spring 2005. At the time of the crime, the male student was 17 years old.
The district, through a statement released and phone conversations last week, said the female teacher was placed on leave Feb. 7 after allegations surfaced Feb. 6 that she had inappropriate sexual activity with a high school student last April.
“Just as soon as we knew what the situation was we took action to place her on administrative leave and turn our information over to the authorities,” White River School District Superintendent Tom Lockyer said. “The district has the highest regard for the safety of our students and has taken this action to ensure their continued safety.”
During the spring of 2005, when the allegations first surfaced, Lockyer, who was not superintendent at the time, said the district placed the teacher on leave, but was unable to prove the allegations and she was reinstated.
Brenda Sexton can be reached at bsexton@courierherald.com.
