KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A former Olathe Northwest High School teacher and wrestling coach has been charged for having sexual relations with an underage student.
The Johnson County District Attorney charged Steven Mesa with three counts of unlawfully engaging in consensual sexual intercourse with a person 16 or more years old.
Court documents allege the relationship took place between July 1 and Aug. 26.
According to Mesa's employment contract, which was obtained by KSHB 41 News, Mesa was a physical education teacher, an assistant football and baseball coach, and a head wrestling coach.
Parents were notified Sept. 7 by Olathe Northwest Principal Chris Zuck that Mesa would not be returning to the school. However, the emails did not list any reason why.
Mesa was hired by the district on Aug. 6, 2001.
KSHB 41 received the following statement from the Olathe School District:
Although we are unable to comment in detail on personnel matters, we can share that our administration was recently made aware of allegations of misconduct by Steve Mesa. Upon learning of these allegations, the district took swift action to place Mesa on leave, refer the matter to local law enforcement, conduct an investigation, and make the recommendation of termination to the Board of Education. The Board of Education took immediate action, and at the September Board meeting, Mesa was terminated.
Olathe Public Schools takes all allegations of staff misconduct very seriously. We will not tolerate anything that impacts the wellbeing or safety of our students or staff. We have processes and procedures in place, including working closely with local law enforcement to investigate and address these situations in accordance with our board policies, state and federal laws. We are committed to ensuring that our students are educated in a safe environment.
Regarding his role in sports, the Kansas State High School Activities Association told KSHB 41 no complaints had been made against Mesa.
"No staff member at KSHSAA has received a complaint about Mr. Mesa nor his connection to the ONW wrestling, football or baseball program," KSHSAA Executive Director Bill Faflick said in a statement. "KSHSAA would sanction any coach (or school) for actions at a KSHSAA event or for failure to properly complete required training (NFHS/KSHSAA sport-specific rules meeting, rules test, concussion training, heat illness training, and CPR/AED training). Any legal violation taking place away from our event is under the jurisdiction of his employer."
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