Teacher accused of sending inappropriate texts to female student

MOUNTAIN VIEW >> A longtime teacher at Mountain View High School has been arrested for allegedly sending inappropriate text messages to a female student, police said.

School officials contacted Mountain View police Monday after learning about the alleged texts, police said. Evan Smith, who has taught math at the school for 15 years, was arrested the next morning on charges of sending “harmful matter” to aminor.

Police did not disclose the exact nature of the texts.

“This incident is very upsetting but know that it is an anomaly in our district’s long history,” said Mountain View Los Altos High School District Superintendent Jeff Harding in a letter to parents. “We expect the highest standards of conduct by our teachers and staff, and we have well-established district policies which strictly prohibit harassment of all sorts, and detail the consequences for violating these policies.”

Smith was placed on paid administrative leave andwill not be permitted on campus during the investigation.

In his letter to parents, Harding said school officials were not aware of any physical contact between the teacher and students.

Police said they are concerned that theremay be additional victims. Anyone who may have been a victim or has information about other victims can contact Sgt. Detective Dan Vicencio at 650903-6386 or Detective Frank Rivas at 650-903-6388.