The superintendent overseeing the school where a teacher is
accused of lewd or lascivious acts with three third-grade students
said the district will release a formal response Monday. But she
also noted how San Juan School officials had been in contact with
parents through the investigation, that it is a
”
very, very difficult situation,
”
and how she has concern about the children and the accused
educator.
HOLLISTER
The superintendent overseeing the school where a teacher is accused of lewd or lascivious acts with three third-grade students said the district will release a formal response Monday. But she also noted how San Juan School officials had been in contact with parents through the investigation, that it is a “very, very difficult situation,” and how she has concern about the children and the accused educator.
Jacqueline Munoz, superintendent of the Aromas-San Juan Unified School District, noted how officials will have a press release prepared Monday morning addressing the investigation and authorities’ charges against Joseph B. Hudson.
Hudson, 58, of Hollister, was charged by San Benito County prosecutors this week with three counts of lewd or lascivious acts. The sheriff’s office arrested Hudson on May 14 at his home after interviewing him the prior day at school. Undersheriff Pat Turturici noted how the sheriff’s office recommended 30 counts and he said investigators had interviewed nine students alleging varying levels of inappropriate touching.
If convicted of the charges, which include special allegations because prosecutors allege there are multiple victims, Hudson would receive a sentence of 15 years to life in prison.
Munoz told the Free Lance that San Juan School’s principal spoke with all the parents in Hudson’s third-grade class when the investigation initially unfolded. Additionally, the district last week sent letters to all parents in the school informing them of the situation, she said.
“I can tell you we have been in contact with parents all the way through this process directly,” Munoz said.
She said the district wants to be “upfront” with the press about the case.
“This is a very, very difficult situation for the district and for our children and families,” Munoz said.
She stressed that school officials are working hard to ensure information is not “misrepresented.” She said “No. 1 is our children.”
“Mr. Hudson has been a long-standing teacher and administrator in our district, and I do not want it misrepresented for him, too,” she said.
