Teacher surrenders in sex case

Chris Barge, Rocky Mountain News

Published November 15, 2006 at midnight

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A Brighton Charter High School teacher accused of having sexual contact with a 17-year-old male student while chaperoning a school camping trip turned herself in at the Jefferson County Jail on Tuesday morning.

Carrie McCandless, 29, was arrested on charges of sexual assault on a child by one in a position of trust and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. She was released on $20,000 bond.

Brighton Police spokesman John Bradley speculated that she turned herself in at the Golden jail, rather than in Brighton or elsewhere, to avoid local and national news media outlets tracking the story.

Tuesday afternoon, Brighton Charter School Board President David Mundy Sr. also responded to a summons for his arrest on charges of failing to report child abuse or neglect and tampering with a witness or victim, a felony. A court date was set for Dec. 6. The charges carry a maximum penalty of six years in prison and $500,000 in fines.

McCandless, a social studies teacher, took a group of students to Estes Park the last weekend in October and allegedly wound up in a room alone with a 17-year-old male student at the YMCA of the Rockies.

An adult male was scheduled to go but had to cancel at the last minute, making McCandless the only adult chaperone, police said.

After interviewing about a dozen people, police brought the case to the Larimer County District Attorney's Office last week and recommended charges.

McCandless is the wife of school Principal Chris McCandless, neither of whom have returned phone calls seeking comment.

Carrie McCandless, who has been fired by the school board, has her first court appearance at 1:30 p.m. Dec. 5 in Larimer County.

This is the second time in less than a year that an adult with ties to Mundy has been investigated for allegedly having a sexual encounter with a student.

In addition to being arrested in connection with the McCandless case, Mundy is the father of a former substitute teacher who pleaded guilty this summer to sexual assault on a child by one in a position of trust and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

Contacted Tuesday, Mundy criticized the media for trying to connect the two cases.

"You people - the media in general - I cannot believe how come you deal so much in smut," he said.

Police say that Mundy's son, David Mundy, Jr., 31, was involved with three girls ages 14 to 16 at his apartment last New Year's Eve.

The girls reported that Mundy Jr. tried to kiss them and fondle their breasts.

While Mundy Jr. worked as a substitute at the charter school in the past, he was working as a Brighton firefighter at the time of the incident.

He has pleaded guilty to sexual assault on a child and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

"It didn't happen at the school," Mundy Sr. said, in explaining why his son's case had nothing to do with the more recent one involving McCandless. "I've been instructed I can't comment on it."

Both McCandless and Mundy Jr. face up to 12 years in prison if convicted.

The school board will meet in executive session this afternoon to discuss the developments, Mundy Sr. said.

Meanwhile, parents and students at the school have been left mostly in the dark, with only a three-paragraph letter vaguely addressing the issue sent to them Nov. 9. by board vice president Ken Mitchell.

The charter school received autonomy from School District 27J about eight years ago. Its contract with the district stipulates that if employee issues emerge, the school is to inform the district.

"They didn't do that," 27J superintendent Rob Blunck said.

'Our students are safe'

This letter, dated Nov. 9, was received by parents Monday.

Dear Parents,

With recent news reports concerning allegations regarding a member of the Brighton Charter School family, as a member of the board of directors, I feel that it is necessary to communicate and to reassure you that proper steps are being taken in cooperation with the police investigation, and to see it resolved as quickly as possible. This investigation will be thorough. As much as we would like to comment on the details, it is our legal responsibility to follow standard guidelines and procedures.

In the meantime, teachers at the school continue to make your son and daughter's education our first priority. We feel it necessary to assure you that our students are safe and our commitment to excellence is at the core of our mission. Simultaneously, we would like to let you know counselors are available and on call should you find that your son or daughter is in need of additional support.

As you know, we are in the process of constructing a new high school, and we are continuing to highlight quality education for your sons and daughters. We look forward to seeing them excel in the weeks and months ahead. We are apologetic for the current circumstances but emphasize that our goal is to continue focusing on our motto: First Comes Learning. We want to thank you for your continued support.

Sincerely,

Ken Mitchell

Vice President

Brighton Charter School Board

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