James Lick High Vice Principal Suspected Of Inappropriate Relationship With Student

An interim high school vice principal who was allegedly in a relationship with a student in San Jose was arrested Tuesday, a police spokesman said.

Jose Gonzalez, 35, was arrested on suspicion of annoying or molesting a child under 18 years old, police Officer Albert Morales said. Gonzalez, interim vice principal at James Lick High School, is accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a 17-year-old girl enrolled at the school, Morales said.

The police Internet Crimes Against Children/Child Exploit Detail task force arrested the 35-year-old around 5 p.m. Tuesday at his San Jose home, Morales said. The school initiated an internal investigation into Gonzalez on Friday, when school staff learned he was allegedly involved in “inappropriate behavior” with students, according to Morales.

The 17-year-old girl said she was in an inappropriate relationship with Gonzales either in July or August at his residence, Morales said. Investigators looked into the allegations and obtained an arrest warrant for Gonzalez, according to Morales.

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.

Anyone with information on the case is asked to call police Detective Sean Pierce at (408) 537-1381. Those who wish to remain anonymous may call Silicon Valley Crime Stoppers at (408) 947-7867.

Also see:

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• Santa Clara Co. DA Seeking Death Penalty For Man Accused Of Sexual Assault, Murder Of Toddler

--Bay City News