Teacher Accused Of Having Sex With Student

NEW YORK - An arrest of a teacher at Columbia High School has taken the community by surprise.
"Like you, we're obviously shocked and dismayed at the allegations," said East Greenbush Central Schools Superintendent Terrance Brewer.
Kirk Hellwig, a 37-year-old social studies teacher at Columbia, was arrested by East Greenbush Police Monday morning. Hellwig is charged with engaging in a sexual act with a 16-year-old male student on school grounds and during school hours.
"Anytime we have a situation of this nature where our educational community is dismayed by a personal act, it causes all of us to have some pain," said Brewer.
Students reported rumors of the relationship to the principal on Thursday. Hellwig has worked for the school district since 1999 as an American history and government teacher with no prior complaints.
"When it hits home, and it's so close to us, it's kind of scary. And my kids are young. They're not in school yet, but it makes me think. Should I homeschool my children?" said Kendra Durivage, an East Greenbush resident who lives close to the school.
The school district is sending home a letter to parents. One father we spoke to said he was sexually abused when he was a student at Columbia High School, and he said he's not surprised it's happening once again.
"We are very aware of sexual predators in high schools, especially this high school," said Robert Reese.
Reese said he turned in a teacher 23 years after the man abused him. When Reese's daughter told him Hellwig was too friendly with his son, he talked to him directly and asked him to keep his distance.
"It makes me very concerned as to the process that they go hiring these teachers," he said.
Helwig was released on bail and appears in court later this week. He was suspended from all his duties in the school district. Brewer said the students' safety will be the district's top priority, especially after the arrest.
from Capital News 9