Jan 22, 2008 - Dale Scharpf, a teacher at Harney Middle School, was arrested after a 13-year-old female student told administrators that he touched her breast over her clothes. He is facing charges of lewdness with a minor for fondling the special education student.
According to the arrest report, Scharpf told police during their investigation that in 2005 he received a 10 day suspension for reportedly touching a female student's breast.According to KVBC, the arrest report also indicates that one or two teachers may have noticed some inappropriate touching going on, but it's unclear if they ever reported it.
NEW QUESTIONS Jan 24 - Police said the incident at Harney was witnessed by both teachers and students of the school.
Terri Miller, president of Stop Educator Sexual Abuse, Misconduct and Exploitation, said her first question is whether or not the prior episode Scharpf described in the arrest report had been reported to police, as is required by law. Educators are mandatory reporters under the law, Miller said.
"Was the 2005 incident investigated?" Miller said. "It's a criminal offense. If the district didn't report him as it should and he went on to perpetrate against this child, I think they're facing a lawsuit."
