July 6, 2009
Parents say school district ignored complaints of teacher misconduct
By Jose Gaspar
Bonnie Ward has a daughter at Tehachapi High School. On several occasions, Ward says a male teacher inappropriately touched her daughter.
"She says to him, 'don't touch me!'" said Ward. The teacher is identified as Rick Cotta, a veteran with 20 years experience at the school. Ward is not the only upset parent. Steve Dyess says a similar experience happened between his daughter and Cotta. "He hugged her touching her breast," says Dyess. Both alleged incidents happened in 2007 and both parents say they filed complaints with then Tehachapi Vice-Principal Ed Cheek. Ward and Dyess say neither the school or the district acted on their complaints filed with Cheek, who is now gone from the school district. Dyess was persistent and kept checking on what he says was an active investigation. Dyess says he finally contacted Tehachapi Unified School District Superintendent Richard Swanson. Swanson admits he was unaware of the original complaint Dyess had filed until Dyess told him about it. And Swanson admits he does not know anything about an incident involving Ward's daughter. Swanson says he took immediate action when Dyess told him about Cotta allegedly touching his daughter. Swanson says the district investigated and "nothing of substance" was found. Dyess says he finally took his concern to Tehachapi Police. School resource officer Stacey Arebolo began an investigation which was then turned over to Sgt. Kevin Paille. Paille says the investigation is now being reviewed by the Kern County District Attorney's office for possible prosecution. Under state law, schools are mandated reporters of any suspected sexual abuse of students and are to immediately notify police. In this case, Dyess filed his complaint with Tehachapi High School on February 20, 2008. Police were not informed until much later. Superintendent Swanson says he could not recall when police were notified. Rick Cotta was disciplined for one incident, but Swanson would not say which incident nor why Cotta was disciplined. Cotta is still teaching in the district this year. |
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