Student alleges he was struck by teacher

-- Danette Goulet

Newport-Mesa Unified School District officials are investigating

allegations that a teacher struck a 16-year-old student last week at

Newport Harbor High School.

Jaime Castellanos, Newport-Mesa’s assistant superintendent of

secondary education, said Monday that district officials are now

addressing a student’s accusation that a teacher hit him at around 11

a.m. Thursday.

The student made a citizen’s arrest through the Newport Beach Police

Department on Friday, charging that the teacher hit him and then did not

show up for a scheduled meeting to discuss the incident with Newport

Harbor Vice Principal Lee Gaeta.

Castellanos said the district’s investigation would likely last a few

days before the situation could be resolved.