Middle school teacher arrested
A special education teacher from Harney Middle School was arrested Friday on charges of lewd behavior with a student.
Dale Scharpf, 51, was questioned by police and taken into custody after he allegedly touched a 13-year-old girl on her breasts, waist and shoulders during third period on Jan. 16.
According to the arrest report from Las Vegas police, Scharpf told the student that he knew she was ditching school and tried to get her phone number. He held her hand as he told her that he wouldn't report her, then hugged her and ran his left hand down her back to her buttocks.
The girl told Scharpf to stop touching her and pushed his hands away, police said.
According to police, the student ran out of the classroom in tears and took refuge in a restroom.
Police said that when they interviewed Scharpf, he said the student had initiated the hug. He also said he had been told that touching and hugging students was not acceptable.
"Scharpf stated that in 2005 he received a 10-day suspension for reportedly touching a female student's breast," the arrest report said.
"Scharpf stated that he did not believe he had done anything wrong and that he was a touchy kind of person who cares for kids."
Scharpf has been teaching in the Clark County School District since 2002. When asked about Scharpf's statement to police regarding a previous suspension, district Spokesman Dave Sheehan said he could not comment on personnel issues.
Police said the incident at Harney was witnessed by both teachers and students of the school at 1580 S. Hollywood Blvd., near Charleston Boulevard.
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."
