'Today Show' to feature Colorado teen in sex scandal
Superintendent upset over airing teacher case
Chris Barge, Rocky Mountain News
Published March 13, 2007 at midnight
The student at the center of the Brighton Charter High School teacher sex scandal is scheduled to share his story on national television this morning, to the chagrin of the school district's superintendent.
Matt Lauer plans to interview the 18-year-old on The Today Show, during the 7 a.m. hour.
"It's a no-holds-barred interview," NBC spokeswoman Lauren Kapp said. "They'll basically discuss everything that's been in the news and surrounding the case."
Police allege that the boy, 17 at the time, and his social studies teacher, Carrie McCandless, carried on a monthlong romance and "did everything but have sex" during an overnight class field trip last fall.
The 30-year-old woman is married to the school's principal, Chris McCandless. She faces charges of sexual assault on a child by someone in a position of trust and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
She was later jailed and charged with violating the terms of her parole after the boy told prosecutors that she called him on his cell phone after they both appeared in court.
She hopes to arrive at a plea agreement with Larimer County prosecutors at a disposition hearing scheduled for April 24.
The boy's appearance on national television amplifies a scandal that had quieted down for the 215-student charter school.
"I guess our preference would be that this work its way through the courts rather than work its way through the court of public opinion," Brighton School District Superintendent Rod Blunck said Monday.
McCandless was fired as the allegations came to light. And the charter school board's president, David Mundy, resigned amid charges he failed to report the incident and tampered with witnesses.
A jury trial for Mundy, 53, is set for July 23.
In the wake of the scandal, teachers at the school have received extra training on how to prevent and report similar future incidents.
The school will also soon add two members to its board in an effort to add stability.
"It just seemed like the system fell apart when it was most needed," said Ken Mitchell, the charter school board's new president. "I think what happened made us take a look at everything."
The Today Show
Watching the show with NBC's Matt Lauer
• When: Between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. MST
• Where: The Today Show, NBC
bargec@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5059
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