An Edwin Parr Composite School teacher has been charged with sexual exploitation.
Charles Beamish, 38, is set to appear in Athabasca Provincial Court Jan. 14. He is facing one charge of sexual exploitation contrary to Section 153 (1)(a) of the Criminal Code.
According to an Athabasca RCMP press release, the charge stems from allegations of misconduct towards a former student while Beamish was a teacher.
In a press release issued Dec. 4, Aspen View Public School Division superintendent Neil O'Shea said Beamish is currently not working in schools.
"The employee is currently not working in schools and the matter is being handled administratively through the office of the Superintendent," he said in the release. "As with all personnel matters, we will deal with this with the utmost discretion out of respect for the individuals involved and respect for due process."
He added the division has protocols in place to ensure the safety and well-being of students and staff.
"It is standard practice, following allegations of this nature, to conduct a thorough review of related policies and procedures, which Aspen View will undertake," he said.
"We are committed to the safety and well-being of students and staff, and take any and all allegations very seriously," he also said in the release.
According to Beamish's staff biography still available on the EPC website, Beamish graduated from Thorhild School in 1998, and received both a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Education from the University of Alberta in 2004. Beamish also obtained his Masters of Arts from Royal Roads University in 2014. He has also completed course work at other universities, including Athabasca University and MacEwan University.
His name and a link to his staff biography has since been removed from the school's directory page.
The RCMP press release encourages anyone with further information on this incident to share it with police. They are asked to call Athabasca RCMP at 780-675-4252 or their local detachment. If they wish to remain anonymous, they can also contact Crime Stoppers by phone at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), online at www.P3Tips.com.
