Superintendent skips class to spend time with teenage girlfriend
February 1, 2010 8:17 am
BY KAREN VELIE
Last week, taxpayers paid for the San Miguel Joint Union School District superintendent to attend a symposium in Monterey. However, Supt. Dean Smith apparently skipped some of the meetings to spend time with a teenager with whom he is allegedly having an affair.
Smith, a former pastor, recently left his wife of more than 30 years for “Anne” (not her real name), a young woman he began “mentoring” while she was in the sixth grade.
According to eyewitnesses, on Jan. 28, the second day of the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) Superintendents’ Symposium, Smith ducked out after less than a half hour of State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell’s speech to spend time with “Anne.”
Smith however did make it in back to the Marriott Hotel in time for the symposium cocktail hour with his 18-year-old date in tow.
“ACSA’s Superintendents’ Symposium is a must for all California superintendents,” the ACSA’s website says. “It is one of the only opportunities for superintendents to come together, share ideas, network and engage in world-class professional learning. The program is a balance of workshops and interactive sessions focusing on the hot topics facing the superintendency, including leadership, legislation, legal issues, budget, diversity and accountability.”
Smith, 55, recently informed several parents with children in San Miguel elementary schools that he is not in a romantic relationship with “Anne.” He added that he has spent time “mentoring” the girl because of a problematic home life.
However, several different sources have witnessed Smith and “Anne” acting physically affectionate in public and some have even snapped photographs to verify their claims. In some, Smith is walking hand-in-hand with her through the Wal-Mart in Paso Robles. A few days later, Smith and “Anne” were spotted embracing in a public place.
Prior to the woman’s 18th birthday last spring, Templeton school officials took their concerns about the relationship to the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Department after a school employee witnessed Smith picking “Anne” up from Templeton High School.
Although the resulting investigation found no illegal activity, some board members and law enforcement officials have wondered if Sheriff’s Deputy Clinton Cole informed Smith of the pending investigation. Just hours after the first report had been made to the sheriff’s department, Smith began asking school officials why they had made the report.
Cole, the officer assigned to the San Miguel Joint Union School District beat, has denied he is a close friend of Smith. Despite that, sources report that the pair regularly spend their lunch hours together and have also been seen socializing after school.
Smith, then principal of Templeton Middle School, first met and began spending time with “Anne” when she was in sixth grade in about 2003. One teacher described how Smith would ask her to treat the girl differently than the other students.
“He was very protective of her,” the teacher, who asked to remain anonymous for fear of losing her job, said. “He said she came from a troubled home.”
San Miguel Joint Union School District board officials have hired an investigator who is looking into the allegations that Smith has had an inappropriate relationship with the former student. On Feb. 11, the school board is slated to discuss the issue in closed session.
Hmmmmm, when I used to pick my kids up at Templeton Middle School when he was principal there, he seemed to always be in the picnic table area surrounded by several girls, some of which would be hanging on him. I thought it was creepy and perverted at the time, I guess my fellings have now been validated.
When I first heard about these allegations, I asked my son about it and what he knew. He said, “Oh yeah, everyone knows about it. He is hanging out with ________ and has been for a long time. I heard they have sex too.”
Fire the creep. This behavior is way past disgusting.
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Why is it that this story has not been picked up by KSBY, Tribune or other local news sources? I have read many of these responses, yet I find NOTHING about this anywhere else. Anyone have any input of why this would be?
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With all due respect to Karen, most news organizations use substantiated sources for their news stories. Sorry, but this story sounds like fodder for the donut shop gossip club. Perhaps something inappropriate occured here; if so, as one poster pointed out, the mandated reporters at the school will be subject to criminal charges also.
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I too cannot understand why no other news agency has picked up this story. This man is now relieved of his duties! That is not unsubstantiated. The TRIB has a story about a teacher in North Carolina who has been suspended because of inappropriate Facebook postings, yet nothing about a local superintendent relieved from his duties for dating an ex student…..I just don’t understand.
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This is not being picked up by real news sources because this is NOT NEWS, it’s gossip.
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Why do all the perves seem to be Pastors,Deacons or Presidents?
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I heard Lolita has been pulled from the school library.
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Which library is this Lolita pulled from?
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Ever wonder how people in a powerful position and people of wealth get away with the strangest things? Example Gearhart, it is a great shame that no charges were brought against Smith.
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Wow, I am glad we still have freedom of press as this has not been seen in other news media to my knowledge.
Thank You—Cal Coast News
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One more thing boys and girls, to the teacher who didn’t want to become involved… or risk discipline for talking about this…
I would like to remind our teachers that they are ‘mandated reporters’ by law and failure to come forward is punishable with jail time.
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http://abmp3.com/download/4420104-work-with-me-annie.html
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Once again I am amazed that Karen will not try and confirm her “sources”. The few school staff sources that Karen supposedly talked to are not telling the truth. There are many staff members if contacted could verify this information, if Karen would notify them. The fact of the matter, Deputy Cole has never gone to lunch or ate lunch with Smith. Even during staff potlucks for birthdays Deputy Cole eats in his own office. He has never hung out with Smith after school nor does he leave with him. He did not tell Smith about the investigation nor does he approve of Smiths actions. Deputy Cole does talk daily to Smith because they work at the same school and have to attend to school business. However, he has nothing to do with Smith’s personal life and has no connections to it. The real question is why some of the staff is not telling the truth about Deputy Cole and Smith.
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To the last two posters, Charis and Joe:
Quite trying to minimize Smith’s behavior. If you are “Anne” go get counseling. If you are “Annes” friend or family member do what is right and get her to reevaluate this deplorable relationship.
And to you Smith: Any suggestion that this controversy is due to disgruntled employees is a crock of baloney. Remember the preamble of the teachers code of ethics? here let me refresh your twisted thinking ……
“The educator recognizes the magnitude of the responsibility inherent in the teaching process. The desire for the respect and confidence of one’s colleagues, of students, of parents, and of the members of the community provides the incentive to attain and maintain the highest possible degree of ethical conduct. The Code of Ethics of the Education Profession indicates the aspiration of all educators and provides standards by which to judge conduct.”
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Dexter,
Just because a teacher has knows the preamble of the teachers code of ethics doesn’t mean they follow it…they do what they want no matter what it says. Vengence will overcome many people despite what they once believed. It is a disgruntled employee.
As for “Anne”…family and friends can ask her to stop…but as you should know (at least I hope you do), people do what they want no matter what “others” think. People have friends with other people who are not liked by their fellow peers all the time. What makes this different? The rumors spread by other people. Have you been able to control other people and who they make friends with???
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OK Faith lets just say that I suspect the evidence will speak for itself on this matter.
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Sure! If there was evidence. Have you seen it? No pictures have come forth. It’s all he said she said.
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Facts:
Smith did not leave his wife. They are separated.
Smith had lunch with “Anne” AND her friend . . . no cocktails.
No one seems to have seen the snapshots, including the reporter.
Mr. Smith is friends with “Anne’s” entire family. Anne’s mother called Smith and informed him of the investigation by the Sheriff’s office.
Former employees who worked under Smith are disgruntled and are perpetuating this scandal.
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Oh, NICE try!!!
FACTS!!!:
He LEFT his wife because after last year’s PROMISE that he wouldn’t see “Anne” any more, he got caught calling her and Mrs. Smith was informed. She asked him to leave because of THE BETRAYAL!!!
No, we SAW him with “Anne” having cocktails and he shooed her out the ‘backdoor’ when he saw us (neighboring district officials).
Mr. Smith is friends with “Anne’s” entire family because they are poor folks who think he is their ‘gravy train”!
I’ve seen the pictures and seen the two in person. No doubt, they ARE in an intimate relationship!
For those of us “who worked under Smith”, believe me, we are not disgruntled– only appalled!
Rot, Buddy, rot!
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You’ve seen the pictures??? Really??? Why hasn’t the girl’s family seen the pictures? Just sounds like you don’t like him. If you have pictures or know who does, then they need to be shown to the family. Give me a break.
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i know both smith and officer cole. just because the y talk every now and then doesn’t make them good friends. it is a very small school so obviously everyone is in the social circle involved there. as though i may not agree with what my former principle is doing with a girl that i know as well, i do feel like this article is written in a very slanted viewpoint.
he should be removed for his choices that he is making wiht this girl and his wife, but it is also none of our business and we should get out of his issues.
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Boy I guess you cut typing class that was hard to read, retake typing in JC, if you get that far it’s pretty easy to press enter when you hit the”i”.
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I will be on the Dave Congalton KVEC radio show at 4:30 p.m. to discuss this issue. Turn your radio to 920 AM or listen live at http://www.920kvec.com.
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One word: predator.
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In parts of the arab world, they have determined a girl becomes a woman at 10 or 12 which is when she can begin to bare children, neuroscientists will tell you that the human brain isn’t fully completed until around the age 25 so maybe that’s when we become ‘adults’, my mother-in-law — however –said that people were too young to vote until they became 60…. we have determined — however — that an ‘adult’ is 18.
As an 18 year old she can date whomever she wishes… even someone who has had power and influence over her at an earlier time in her life.
Our county has had a shameful series of instances when teachers and coaches have abandoned their role and used their influence on younger people to satisfy their own desires. In almost every case that I have seen or heard of the ‘activities’ of the adult in question were protected and/or overlooked by administrators and fellow teachers. The reasons to excuse the behavior were almost universal from acceptance to ‘I don’t want to get involved.’
I do not know anything about this situation… but I would guess that relationships like this seldom begin at someone’s 18th birthday… they just become more public. If something was going on… did her friends know? other teachers? parents? administrators?
If you don’t want things like this to happen in the future… there must be a zero tolerance and a big penalty… not a wink, smile and a nod.
Roger Freberg
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Right on Roger good post! Another scenario, let’s say they get married, stay married for two years she finds a younger better looking gentleman at 20, divorces Smith and the two new love birds live happily ever after on the old man’s dime, stranger things have happened, the time will come for “Anne” to contemplate this and in California, the wife gets half, oh and “Anne a prenuptial agreement is definitely out of the question right? What say you, Mr. Smith? Will you walk her down the isle, and hope she doesn’t divorce your sorry old *ss later?
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Why does San miguel School district keep this guy? Why don’t they put him on administrative leave and be done with him. He needs to be gone and away from students that are in jeopardy. The blatant disregard for what is right is beyond belief and this guys was a pastor?? I don’t want to stand behind him in line at the pearly gates…he’s not getting in!
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That’s what he’s hoping for; not to work and yet still get paid for the duration of his contract. (Mind you, he is the LAZIEST administrator I’ve ever worked for!) It’s extremely difficult to get rid of superintendents due to their contracts. He’s been screaming the ‘sue’ word out a lot lately. TUSD even had their internal emails supeonaed by him saying that people are slandering him. (poor guy! not!) San Miguel has to be real careful about getting rid of him (and believe me, they WANT HIM GONE!) because he’ll sue. He’s such a slime ball– he’s worse than all the things he used to tell me were wrong in the world. Dean, what goes around, comes around. Your time is up!
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If there is poop to step in, you can count on one of the little Sheriff’s boys to be involved. Unethical behavior appears to be contageous and spred into the school district. What does it take to trust any public offical and keep our kids safe? I don’t think that is asking too much. My sympathy goes out to the teachers and staff of the schools and to the sheriff’s deputies who are out there doing the best the can. This sliver of garbage needs to hit the road.
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Unbelievable. I know this man. I know this girl. I want to puke..but I honestly will have to see it with my own eyes. My jaw drops every time I even consider it.
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This makes the third discovery of a sexual predator who has been employed by the district in recent years. Prior to that was an athletic coach/father and a younger, married computer sciences teacher. Three is a lot for a small population and a teacher’s roster of less than 50. Paso Robles School District has had their share of offenders, too (Collier, Fitch, Solorio). Dean Smith was the consummate “favorite” principal at the junior high school. He would have been the very last person anyone would have suspected of this sort of thing.
No doubt, there are honorable hard-working teachers who truly care for our children. Still, how are we to support our school system (not to mention take them out of public schools) when this seems to be so prevalent? And to consider that these are the offenders who actually got caught. What about those who have been inappropriately approached or assaulted, but never report out of feeling shamed – or who fear no one would even believe them? One can’t help but think of other children who have been likely groomed and for victimization over the duration of Smith’s employ.
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By the “district,” I mean Templeton alone. My heart goes out to the respectable, underpaid teachers everywhere who help protect our children and have been deceived by Smith’s leadership.
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Deceived? Most of us knew he was a scum bag from the beginning. Especially when he made comments about the cute little girls at school. He hid behind Christianity and looked down on the rest of the unfortunate people who saw through his hypocrisy. He protected his predator buddy because they are both alike. Many girls told parents and teachers stories of what went on, yet no one said a word. His superiors knew, yet never acted and chose to protect both of them because the good ol’ boys club was stronger than the truth. The Templeton community should be ashamed because they knew and no one said a word.
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Save for a few individuals who don’t want to get involved as they say, I seriously doubt “the Templeton community” would collectively become complicit in selling out its children to keep anyone on staff anywhere. No, if the Templeton community was truly aware of this man’s actions, let’s say the last thing Smith would be concerned about would be his job.
Your response has the potential for serious ramifications and begs questions: What did you personally do to get the truth revealed and bring justice to Smith’s victim(s)? Did you document these things and tell the school? The police? CPS? DA’s office? Anyone?
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just so this person knows, the coach wasnt punished for being a sexual predator it was a much different matter. so before you make more accusations know what you are talking about. i had him for a coach so i knew him very well. he wasnt a sexual predator and didnt lose his coaching position for that.
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You “knew” him very well? Tell his daughter that one. That will go over big, eh?
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My wife and daughter who both know Dean Smith and the girl who was a classmate of my daughters saw them in the stores at Xmas time and they were showing affection to each other.
They immediately ran the other way to avoid the embarrassment for themselves,these 2 love birds are not smart enough to stay out of public,my daughter said for 2 weeks, how gross Dad,she can’t believe the trust he has broken with hundreds or thousands of kids that have passed through the school in Templeton he was in charge of,he picked a daughter that does not have a Dad that would challenge him,I am glad he did not target my child for my sake and his!
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I’d like to see these photos. Blur the woman’s (a term I use loosely) face if you like, but let’s see the pictures. I want to see the DIRT!
As for the symposium, one can hardly blame him for skipping out on O’Connell’s speech.
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This man is incredible! Why does San Miguel allow him on campus?
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If this was my daughter, Mr. Smith would be meeting with the business end of my knuckles.
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