Letter sent to parents after arrest of teacher

<p>A letter was sent home to parents, and Casa Grande High School counselors and school staff members are offering help to students in the aftermath of the arrest of 34-year-old history and economics teacher Scott Dietlin, charged with four crimes stemming from his alleged attempt to have sex with a minor.</p><!-- Nothing to do. The paragraph has already been output --><p>“Our counselors are working with families and students, and we are focusing on our educational program to make sure that it is continuing,” said Greta Viguie, superintendent of Petaluma City Schools.</p><p>Dietlin was arrested by Burlingame police detectives at 9:45 a.m. on Saturday after a week-long investigation stemming from a correspondence he had with two Burlingame teenagers on myspace.com. The teens, along with some friends, posted a photograph and profile of a young woman as a prank on myspace.com. The posting implied that the profile and photo actually were posted by her, and Dietlin then started engaging in e-mails with them.</p><p> The teens, feeling that Dietlin’s e-mails were inappropriate, contacted Burlingame police, who began investigating the situation. A Burlingame detective, posing as the teenage girl, then began communicating with Dietlin, and arranged a time and place in San Mateo to meet him to have a possible sexual encounter.</p><p>When he arrived at the location, they arrested Dietlin on charges of sending harmful matter electronically with the intent to seduce a minor, attempting to contact a minor with the intent to commit a sexual offense, arranging to meet with a minor with intent to commit a sexual offense and traveling to meet the minor. He was booked into San Mateo County Jail on $550,000 bail, but Judge Kathleen McKenna later raised the amount to $700,000.</p><p>Dietlin was placed on administrative leave at Casa Grande High School after the incident, and Casa Grande Principal Linda Scheele spoke to students in his class about the situation.</p><p>“We’ve arranged for a qualified substitute to take over his classes, and sent a letter home to families at the school, explaining the situation,” Viguie said.</p><p>The letter, written by Scheele to parents and caregivers, states:</p><p>“This letter is to inform you that Casa Grande High School teacher Scott Dietlin, teacher of economics and world history, has been arrested in Burlingame on charges of contacting (via electronic email) and attempting to arrange to meet a minor with intent to commit a sexual act.</p><p>“We respect that no one is guilty until proven so. However, out of abundance of caution, Mr. Dietlin has been placed on administrative leave. There will be a substitute teacher in the classroom. The information that we have to date indicates that no students from Casa Grande or the Petaluma area were involved. Counselors will be available at the school to speak with any students who have questions or concerns.</p><p>“As always, the safety of our students remains our highest priority. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.”</p><p>After Dietlin’s arrest, Burlingame police obtained a warrant to search his vehicle and home in Petaluma. They reportedly found condoms, as well as a computer and cell phone police believe he used during the communications.</p><p>Dietlin enrolled at Casa Grande as a student in 1988 and graduated in 1992. He subsequently was hired to teach at the school, and has served there for the past nine years.</p><p>Dietlin, who serves in the Health Careers Cluster group, has received generally favorable comments from students at ratemyteachers.com, and none suggest any sexually inappropriate conduct.</p><p>(Contact Dan Johnson at dan.johnson@arguscourier.com)</p>