The Virginian-Pilot
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Portsmouth's chief of public schools can't recall a time like this in his 39 years as an educator.
David Stuckwisch says he has no way to explain why three of the division's teachers have been charged in the past year with sex crimes; two of the cases involved students at the teachers' schools.
Maybe it's just an alarming coincidence.
Stuckwisch said the division is doing everything it can to keep sexual predators from teenagers. Officials vet the backgrounds of potential employees and check to see whether they've committed crimes. None of these instructors had prior records, he said.
In his nine years as Portsmouth's superintendent, only one other teacher - Kelly K. Bowen in 2004 - had been charged with sex crimes against children. Bowen was sentenced to 45 years in prison.
"We're open to suggestions" about safeguarding children, Stuckwisch told me Wednesday.
"These cases are very serious, but very infrequent," he noted.
He's right, but it's still a disturbing string of crimes.
In March, Cedric Cradle, who had been a Churchland High School special education teacher and football coach, was arrested for his sexual relationship with a 16-year-old girl at the school. Last week, a jury convicted him on a charge of indecent liberties. It recommended that he pay a $2,500 fine - yet serve no time in prison.
The decision to let Cradle go free was shocking. It sends the wrong message to people who exploit teenagers.
In November, Marc Allmond, who had been an I.C. Norcom High math teacher and football coach, was arrested for having sex with a student as young as 13 or 14 when the relationship began.
Last month, Allmond pleaded guilty to carnal knowledge of a minor and taking indecent liberties with a minor while in a supervisory relationship. He'll be sentenced March 14.
Then last week, a Norcom music teacher was in court facing two counts of indecent liberties with a minor. The charges against Clarence C. Sykes stem from alleged acts more than 30 years ago.
Portsmouth isn't the only division fighting employee sex abuse against students. In Chesapeake last month, a former Grassfield High teacher pleaded guilty to indecent liberties with a child.
We should keep these cases in perspective. With thousands of teachers and students in our region's schools, a small number of such incidents have cropped up.
Still, for the students and parents involved, one case is one too many.
And I have to wonder: What were the abusers thinking?
The convicted teachers took a chance to have unlawful sex with children - yes, children. I don't buy the "excuse" that some students appear older than they actually are.
The trusted adults risked not only their freedom, but their teaching careers, too. After these convictions, they'll never be in the classroom again.
If teachers are willing to take that unspeakable gamble, it may be impossible to eradicate sexual abuse by these criminals.
But it's imperative that we try.
Roger Chesley, 757-446-2329, roger.chesley@pilotonline.com, pilotonline.com/chesley
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It's a conundrum how so many have been charged
I mean why would someone that is attracted to children want to become a teacher. It simply doesn't make any sense.
Okay people - and if you need any other reason why you shouldn't allow daycares, public schools, or religious practices to school your children, this is your sign.
Okay
Then what do you suggest? Leaving their education and care to 'wonderful' parental models such as the ones sharing the front page for abusing/murdering their children?
I agree this is disgusting and one is too many - but we cant throw out the baby with the bathwater. Its exactly why we have checks and balances for the people entrusted by these 'higher educational' institutions. Sometimes we unfortunately see characters like this who slip through the cracks, but rest assured - they are the minority (of the minority who make bad decisions)
I absolutely suggest you raise and teach your own children
Parents are responsible for their children's education as well as their safety. You do the very best you can every day to make sure you succeed at both of those.
You cannot snivel about something happening if you intentionally sent them off to be raised by strangers.
For many, it is not an
For many, it is not an option. Many moms would like to stay home and school their kids, but a minority of them can.
Kids require sacrafice
If you aren't willing to sacrafice, you aren't ready to have kids.
I understand that sometimes it is impossible, but that is when you need to turn to your family wherever they may be.
When you bring kids into the picture, it is no longer about your happiness, but theirs.
ummm
So a person who cant sacrifice their job to stay home to school their child is not ready for kids? Then no one other than millionaires should have children. How about instead of sheltering your child you teach them appropriate boundaries.