CARTERSVILLE, Ga. (AP) Authorities have arrested a Cass High School teacher and coach on a sexual assault charge.
Twenty-five-year-old Matthew James Stewart of Adairsville was arrested Thursday by Bartow County chief school resource officer Dan Knowles.
Bartow County Schools Superintendent John Harper says Stewart has been placed on leave.
Harper would not give details of the alleged assault.
Stewart taught math and coached track and field and boys' and girls' cross country teams at the high school.
Harper says Stewart remains under contract since he is only accused of a crime at this point.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
What others are saying
- Can you say habit?I'll open with: Jamie likes to keep tabs on his ex's, always has. Even if they've moved on and even when he himself is dating/engaged/or married. But he's not in jail for that, he's in jail because of a high school girl. He has a history of this behavior. First time: Jamie had just graduated high school and was substitute teaching while going to college, his girlfriend was a student of the school he was subbing at. They had been dating previously so no real lines crossed here, just blurred a bit. Second time a few years later: His ex finance was a student of his as well. She was an athlete of the team he was assistant coaching. That was how they met and she was still under his tutelage when the relationship began. She graduates and he pops the question. Some major rule breaking on his end, but he proposed right? So it's "legit". They never married. Few years later, he's at it again. I guess the third time's the charm. This girl is nearly 10 years his junior, but regardless of her age this girl is someone's child placed in his care and he violated that. His life is ruined now because old habits die hard.
- Can you say PimpPeople people people. His ex was not a drug addict and is a cool person who hasnt dated him since they broke up. As for the wife being beautiful, well, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. And if he really is dating 2 teachers, well keep it pimpin. As for bangin a 16 year old, sounds like the bitch snitched to her parents. Peace out.
- back offok, i know jamie stewart better than any of you think you do. yeah, he was dating around but he did not do this. and by the way, his ex fiance is the furthest thing from a drug addict. she is a single responsible mom. jamie obviously has a good judge of character to date her. jamie is a sweet person with a good heart. there is no way he didd this. HE WOULD NEVER!!!
- Complete MORONOk...I know this idiot and let me just make this all very clear...he has a past of "getting it on" with young girls. He had a wife who is absolutely beautiful! (If you read this...call me...I would love to date you!) Jamie Stewart needs major help. He had a great life and was a role model to many people. Now...he will always be remembered by these actions, not the good things he did do at some point in time. All we can do is pray for him. I truly wish his ex-wife all the best and I hope that she can move on and find someone who realizes her worth. You really let me down Stewart.
- jamie stewartJamie was a friend. I can't believe that he did this but he did admit it. I am a teacher and I know that no matter what, it is never okay to cross the line he crossed. He was smarter than that. I don't know what happened to him but all we can do now is pray for the situation. It is not okay to judge someone else but it does smudge all teachers when someone does this. There are plenty of us out there that would NEVER cross the line he crossed.
- I know Jamie Stewart VERY well and he is guilty as charged. He admitted and so did the "girl" (who also knew better) who he had a sexual affair with. Not only was he with this girl, he was also dating 2 other teachers at Cass High, his ex-fiancee who is a drug addict and begging his wife to not go through with the divorce ALL AT THE SAME TIME!!!! Hello....can you say IDIOT?
- they have not convicted him yet...i wish everyone would stop talking like he has been convicted. right now he is just charged. he didnt do this...there is no way. he would have to be insane, which he is not...lets stop to think that some girl just wanted to get back at him, maybe he hurt her feelings?
- we can judge someone we don't know because someone's immoral and unethical behavior is not based on whether we know the person. wrong is wrong. if you think it's perfectly acceptable for a 25-year old man to have sex with a 16-year old, then you will not understand that concept. if you think it's ok for a teacher to abuse his position of trust and service to the community for his own personal, sexual gain, then you will not understand this. huge mistakes tend to have huge consequences. as far as responsibility, the ADULT is supposed to be the responsible party, not the child. you're 15 and should know that! besides, have you stopped to think about how her life is going to be if/when she returns to school? trust me, she is not getting off very easy either (especially if the rumors about an std is true).
- how can you judge someone you dont know. yeah , he made a huge mistake. that was veryy wrong. but this 16 year old girl knows what she was doing. she should be as much responsible as stewart is. i'm 15 and know that thats wrong.
stewart is amazing. and he still is my favorite teacher. - Teacher ScreeningWhat has happened to our public school system? Hardly a day goes by that we do not read of a teacher taking sexual liberties with a student or students. We already have a major problem of too many teachers not being able to teach the subjects they are hired to teach -- as evidenced by the test scores and high drop out rates. Is there no screening of so called 'teachers' before they are hired? Home schooling or private schools cannot be a solution for working families. Are we going to be left with the likes of this 'math' teacher? How many more are in the system? Someone at the top needs to be held responsible for this incompetence!!
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so it's both of their faults not just his. & he's not a bad guy at all. he was my teacher. one of my favorites to be exact. he's not some sex crazy pervert.
but i guess that's now his problem. & that girl gets to walk around like nothing's wrong. well that's bs.