Music teacher at Tate arrested
A music teacher at Tate Elementary School in the northeast valley was arrested on a charge of lewdness with a minor under 14, which Las Vegas police said occurred at the school.
Don Kevin Smith, 51, was arrested May 14 and has a Justice Court appearance scheduled for June 19.
The allegations involve inappropriate touching of a student, Lt. John Bradshaw of the Crimes Against Youth and Family bureau, said in a prepared statement.
Smith was hired by school district Aug. 14, 1996.
Marsha Irvin, superintendent for the Northeast Region, said Principal Mary Bowling sent a letter to parents of Tate students Wednesday informing them of the arrest.
The letter said police arrested an employee of the school and that he would not be teaching while police conducted their investigation.
“We thought it was critical to get a letter home to the families today,” Irvin said. “It’s always helpful when parents hear from the principal when it’s something that impacts their school.”
Irvin said she can not directly respond to questions about Smith’s arrest because of confidentiality laws. But she said in general terms if a teacher is arrested, the district would determine whether the charges merit removal from a classroom.
Irvin said the letter was sent home to parents more than two weeks after the arrest because the district was waiting for investigators to substantiate the allegations.
Bowling could not be reached for comment Wednesday evening.
Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Matthew Demas at 828-3421 or Crime Stoppers at 385-5555.
