UPDATE | Bainbridge district: Teacher suspended for alleged sex with underage student to stay on paid leave until end of school year

Published 7:55 pm Thursday, May 7, 2015

The Bainbridge High teacher arrested Thursday who allegedly had a sexual relationship with an underage student will remain on paid leave through the end of the school year, according to district officials.

Jessica M. Fuchs, 25, was arrested Thursday at her Bainbridge home. She was charged with two felonies — first-degree sexual misconduct with a minor, and tampering with a witness — and the gross misdemeanor of communication with a minor for immoral purposes.

Fuchs has been on paid leave since late February, when the allegations of improper conduct with a student were first reported to administrators at Bainbridge High. District officials said last week she has been paid more than $7,000 while on suspension.

District officials said Thursday she would remain on paid leave, and also said the school district has started its own internal investigation into the allegations.

“It saddens me to be reporting this news,” Superintendent Faith Chapel wrote in an email to parents Thursday.

“We know this is an unsettling, deeply disturbing situation for all of us, especially for the student and his family,” she added.

Fuchs, an alumna of BHS, graduated from the school in 2007. She was a first-year teacher at the high school and taught chemistry and biology.

Fuchs remains in Kitsap County Jail. Bail has been set at $100,000.