Kochel Questions

Teachers and school administrators are mandated reporters of child abuse, sexual molestation and neglect. The Welfare and Institutions Code requires them to report all suspected instances.

If Ventura School District officials are claiming they did not have evidence, then they violated the law by not reporting the case of Coach Harvey Kochel case when they admit they warned him. Why is the school district hiring teacher/coaches with predatory, macho attitudes toward students rather than being protective and responsible?

The Times in each article written on this issue has described what went on as “an affair,” “fooling around,” or a “sex scandal.” When are the newspapers going to accept the responsibility for calling a teacher’s predation of a child what it is, sexual abuse and exploitation?

RON A. BLANCHETTE, M.D.

Ventura