SAN JOSE (KRON) — San Jose police have arrested an interim vice principal at James Lick High School for allegedly having an inappropriate relationship with a 17-year-old student enrolled at the school, Ofc. Albert Morales said.
Thirty-five-year-old San Jose resident Jose Gonzalez is facing charges of annoying or molesting a child under 18 years old, which is a misdemeanor, police said.
School staff said they found out about allegations that Gonzalez was engaging in the inappropriate behavior with students at the school, according to police. During the school’s investigation, the 17-year-old girl said she had an inappropriate relationship with Gonzalez, Morales said.
The incident happened in July or August of 2015 at his San Jose home, the victim told the school.
San Jose police arrested Gonzalez at his home on Tuesday at about 5 p.m.
Gonzalez has been booked into Santa Clara County Main Jail, where he is being held in lieu of $10,000 bail, according to jail records.Gonzalez has been on administrative leave since Friday, East Side Union High School District Superintendent Chris Funk said.
The district’s board of trustees will decide if Gonzalez will be placed on unpaid leave based on the nature of the charges, according to Funk.
The district hired Gonzalez in 2008. He previously served as a campus adviser for the assistant principal of discipline at James Lick High School, Funk said.
“We are disappointed to learn of these allegations as we expect our employees to be professional and ethical in their interactions with students, other employees, and the community,” Funk said in a letter Monday to school parents.
Full-time counselors and social workers are available for students, faculty and staff to provide support in light of the allegations, Funk said.
If you have any information about this case, you’re asked to call San Jose police at (408)-537-1381.