Covy Moore/Rocky View Publishing

George McDougall High School principle Ed Polhill waits to speak to media during a press conference concerning a teacher arrested for having a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old student Oct. 18 at the Municipal Police Building in Airdrie.

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Airdrie teacher charged after alleged relationship with student

A 36-year-old George McDougall teacher was arrested in Calgary and charged with sexual assault and sexual exploitation, Oct. 17.

Police and Rocky View Schools conducted a press conference at the Airdrie RCMP detachment, Oct. 18.

Man was arrested after Airdrie RCMP officers were tipped off by a female, who is not involved in the case, that the teacher was having a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old student at the school.

The girl approached officers on Oct. 16 at around 11 p.m. during a hit-and-run investigation in Airdrie and alleged the relationship between the teacher, who is also an Airdrie resident, and the female student.

The name of the teacher is not being released to protect both the female victim and his own young children said Inspector Tony Hamori of the Airdrie RCMP detachment.

“No other victims have been identified,” said Hamori. “It appears to be an isolated incident.”

According to Hamori, the alleged relationship has been ongoing for several months. The teacher appeared in Airdrie court, Oct. 18, but police did disclose if he had been released at the press conference.

The man has been suspended from his job at the school.

George McDougall High School Principal Ed Polhill said the school is helping children cope with the news.

“Our school community is deeply alarmed over this incident,” said Polhill, who is in his first year as principal of the school.

“I want to assure our parents that we are doing whatever we can to assist our students. We currently have counselors on site to support them and our staff. We are cooperating fully with the RCMP.”

According to a Grade 10 student at the school, the issue is a hot topic among students.

She said she has heard rumours that the man is a science teacher at the school.

“(Other students) are treating it like a game,” she said. “It’s like hide-and-seek to try and figure out who it is. It’s immature.”

Another student said he believed it was a false accusation.

“I don’t think it’s true,” he said. “Our teachers here are pretty cool. Some people just want a lot of attention.”

Read next week’s Airdrie City View for an updated story.