Male Teacher Accused of Sex With Boy at School - Kirk Hellwig, Columbia High School

At school, during school hours? That takes some guts, if true. Apparently rumors started and then came an investigation. Here's more from Capital News 9 - link includes video clip:

Kirk Hellwig, a 37-year-old social studies teacher at Columbia, was arrested by East Greenbush Police Monday morning. Hellwig is charged with engaging in a sexual act with a 16-year-old male student on school grounds and during school hours.

"Anytime we have a situation of this nature where our educational community is dismayed by a personal act, it causes all of us to have some pain," said Brewer.

Students reported rumors of the relationship to the principal on Thursday. Hellwig has worked for the school district since 1999 as an American history and government teacher with no prior complaints.

"When it hits home, and it's so close to us, it's kind of scary. And my kids are young. They're not in school yet, but it makes me think. Should I homeschool my children?" said Kendra Durivage, an East Greenbush resident who lives close to the school.

The school district is sending home a letter to parents. One father we spoke to said he was sexually abused when he was a student at Columbia High School, and he said he's not surprised it's happening once again.

"We are very aware of sexual predators in high schools, especially this high school," said Robert Reese.

Bookmark This: