Fox teacher faces charge
By Jennifer Saltman and Simone Blais - Staff Reporters

A teacher at Terry Fox Secondary was arrested last week on charges of sexual exploitation.

Gordon Belec, a 36-year-old Maple Ridge resident, has been charged with one count of sexual exploitation of a minor.

Police say Belec, a Grade 11 English teacher, is alleged to have been in a relationship with a student from the school.

School District 43 board chair Melissa Hyndes confirmed Tuesday that the board was informed about the allegations against Belec the night of Jan. 30, and took "the appropriate steps" that are outlined in its teacher discipline procedures.

Coquitlam RCMP spokesperson Const. Dave Babineau said police received the complaint last Wednesday and Belec was arrested the next day. He has since been released.

"What that is is an (alleged) inappropriate relationship with a student," Babineau said.

"A teacher is in a position of authority and what he's being charged with is basically, I don't want to say abusing that authority, but it is someone in authority taking advantage of that position."

Hyndes confirmed the teacher is not at the school, but would not comment on whether he is on paid leave. Hyndes also wouldn't confirm or deny whether parents were informed about the allegations.

"It's being investigated by the RCMP so there's limited information ... the school staff were notified by the principal, the administration," she said. "The appropriate steps were taken by the district."

Mykle Ludvigsen, communications co-ordinator for the B.C. College of Teachers, said the college was notified by the school district late last week.

"Mr. Belec's status is currently in good standing. As far as we're concerned his (teaching) certificate is certainly in good standing," he said. "We currently have a file open."

The B.C. College of Teachers is a provincial body that investigates allegations of teacher misconduct.

"With Mr. Belec, it's so early in the process. We're just in the information-gathering stage," Ludvigsen said.

Police are still investigating the allegation.

"This wasn't a sex assault," Babineau said. "There is no danger to the public here."

Belec's first appearance in Port Coquitlam provincial court is set for Feb. 19.

published on 02/07/2007