KHTS Radio Santa Clarita Radio – Santa Clarita News
Editorial by Carl Goldman.
A Canyon High School teacher having an alleged inappropriate relationship with a student. Breaking this story caused one of the biggest reactions to the tens-of-thousands of news stories we have disseminated over the twenty six years we have owned KHTS AM-1220 radio.
Sponsored Articles
Based on the comments we received the majority of our audience supported our decision to run the article. Some however, did not. The William S. Hart School District has taken a position of “no-comment.” Their position has opened them up to even more concern. While we can’t speak for our school district, we would like to share some of our reasoning that lead us to run the story and share our perspective on why our school district might be in a tough position to make any comment.
KHTS prides ourselves in being the leading, dependable news outlet for our valley. We are the ones disseminating the facts and calming your nerves during a major emergency. Our news staff is disciplined to sort through the rumors, innuendos and plain lies instantly popping up on social media whenever a story breaks and like the other recognized mainstream media outlets in our Valley, we must feel confident we have the story right before posting anything. Many times this forces us to hold back on a story and not post it in “Facebook/Twitter/Instagram time” until we are sure we have the facts. The result of this discipline allows you to feel confident you are getting honest reporting from us. We are a media haven that separates truth from innuendo and the mainstream media from the “wild west” of social media.
Previous Story: Canyon High Teacher Suspended In October Allegedly Had Relations With A Student
In the case of Mike Motherspaw, the Canyon High School teacher who was suspended last fall for allegedly having an inappropriate relationship with a student, we decided to run the story even though we were told by several sources close to the situation no charges were filed. Our decision to go with the story was based on evidence from a number of reliable sources very close to the families involved and school authorities, we had our facts correct. In addition, we felt it was important news that could serve as a wake-up call for our Valley to explore the issue on a much broader basis.
We trust our teachers to educate, inspire and protect our kids. That is the primary function of our schools. Leaders in our schools, churches, youth organizations, day-care centers must have a higher standard of responsibility to protect our children. There is no proof Motherspaw had sexual relations with a minor, however there is plenty of evidence their association went way beyond the boundaries of a teacher/student relationship. From the feedback we received after we posted the story, it appears Canyon High school authorities were notified on numerous occasions by various sources over the years something wasn’t proper.
We don’t know if Canyon High School administrators relayed these concerns to the William S. Hart School district during the time leading up to Motherspaw’s suspension. We do know that if our schools had to react to every allegation they would probably be doing nothing else and we could be opening our schools up to a daily witch hunt whenever a student became upset over a poor grade. This is something we don’t want to happen. However the current situation is also unacceptable. Our district and administrators are often handcuffed by an inflexible teacher’s union who appears to be more concerned about protecting their teachers than protecting our students. Our district is also forced to remain silent and issue “no-comment” to the media because our California Labor Laws are so rigid, the District will be opening themselves up to expensive litigation by saying anything. So we now have a situation where it becomes challenging to protect our children when a teacher is out of line and quick action needs to happen.
We’ve received hundreds of comments about our Motherspaw article. His actions have created a ripple effect far beyond those immediately involved. One comment that landed for me was this one. It reminded me how I look back to my own teachers, now from a lens of many decades and still remember the positive impact many of them continue to have on me.
“I know both the male and female in this situation. Actually Motherspaw was my teacher and what he did made me question every life lesson he taught me. He didn’t think about the way it would affect everyone. He was only concerned about himself. I want to apologize to his wife and children. He didn’t deserve you, and you didn’t deserve the way he treated you. I’m praying for peace for your family.”
KHTS intends to use the Motherspaw incident as a tool to open up a dialogue for all of us, parents, teachers, school administrators, unions and even media outlets, to question the current system and to reflect on how each of us can prevent this type of incident from happening. We all need to feel confident our children are going to school to be informed, inspired and yes, protected.
Do you have a news tip? Call us at (661) 298-1220, or drop us a line at community@hometownstation.com.
I agree with the above comment his devoted wife and children did not deserve this but are handling it with grace and dignity! I wish people would really think long and hard if their indiscretions are worth destroying their families over.
Mr Motherspaw making men look bad, very weak.
Carl Goldman. Your editorial made for an interesting “read” however I am concerned you
have made a judgement on the teacher as “guilty.” Without His “comment” you have little “hard-proof” here. You asked for a statement from the school district and they are correct to not give out any
information. They want to protect the teacher as well as the student. Seems you wanted a “story”
with very little information. Why don’t you give us stories on important issues like the water problem in the SVC.
The Castaic Lake Water Agency with only 24 hours notice during the Christmas Holiday, used tax-payers money without their approval to buy for the unheard sum of $73, million dollars the Valencia Water Company. Why not do a story and find our how that is legal. Find out why the “recycled” water from Santa Clarita will be given to the NEW Newhall Ranch on 126 and NOT used for Central Park as promised.
Too bad this is not “sexy” enough for your news.
Oh you may be correct sex sell “newspapers”
Hi Cynthia,
I have a female student that attends Canyon High School and I was very surprised this story did not break until now. I disagree with you that you do not feel this is a news worthy story! The last time I checked it is illegal to have sexual relations with a minor, especially a student. I don’t believe Carl can site the eye witnesses names, but there are many over a period of time and unfortunately this story is true. Perhaps he isn’t guilty of “going all the way”, but inappropriate relations for sure.
I think the reason this story did not break and no one made a report to the media right away was because Mr. Motherspaw was a fun loving, extraordinary ASB leader that most people loved and adored! The young lady was a delightful girl whom seem to have it all together. Did they fall in love? Could he have waited till she turned 18? Would it have been okay to have a relationship with her after she finished high school? Did I witness Motherspaw hug young ladies after a sporting activity or event? Yes. Was it appropriate? No! This really hurts as we want to trust our teachers and support them while they educate our children. I think he made a mistake, but he has so many redeeming qualities that he should be able to ask forgiveness and move on from this. The lesson learned for me is that WE, as Parents, need to be actively involved in our students lives and of their friends. To help guide and protect our youth and protect their innocence.
Of course there are other News stories of businesses in the SCV this web site can report on, however this story hits right in the heart of our community here in Canyon Country! I think we should have dialogue about it as well as the complicated legalities of water company purchases.
You are incredibly passive aggressive, Harris. As a student that goes to Canyon, I personally appreciate how KHTS has been handling this story. An entire school district is vouching to protect an employee rather than just be truthful to their students. The people of Santa Clarita have every single right to know about this situation and if you’re gonna bash KHTS for focusing on this story more so than “The Castaic Lake Water Agency using tax-payers money” then you obviously must not have children.
I am a parent of two Canyin High School students whom both were Motherspaw’s students and ASB kids. I am surprised this story has not been reported on sooner and as a parent find it much more concerning then my gas bill. My children were left feeling like they lost someone that they trusted and respected. He did a lot for the kids and the school and it’s a shame that as a role model and mentor he cared so little for the way it affected the kids he left behind. It’s very disturbing that he did little in the way of hiding this relationship. One example he had her drive ASB kids and attend a leadership camp this summer even though she was not a student at Canyon any longer. He spent that week going to the movies and disappearing with this ex student when he was suppose to be with his current students. Even more disturbing then that was the way just last week him and Danielle both took to Twitter to let everyone know that now that the investigation was over they were moving on to “Chapter Two”. What is Chapter Two you ask? According to a text message they sent to several friends apologizing for keeping their relationship a secret, they are now engaged. So Cynthia you see there is a lot of “hard proof here”. I have seen it first hand with my own eyes, every one of his ASB kids have seen it and had to live threw it. As a parent who trusted this man with my children I am extremely hurt by the way he cared only about himself and left these kids he was so close to, who look up to him and respected him hurt, confused and left questioning everything he ever taught them. You clearly have no children of your own and if you do I hope you never have to help them clean up the mess left behind by something like this because trust me not only is it hard but it is equally as heart breaking
Cynthia Harris, that Valencia Water Company purchase happened THREE YEARS ago and it was reported on at the time. So your logic is that KHTS should have had a new story on the purchase every day for the last 1,126 days excluding coverage of this story among others.
PS: I do respect your trick of not giving the year so it seems like the purchase happened recently.
Teachers having sex with their students concerns me!
I couldn’t disagree more with Cynthias comments.
As a parent of two Canyon High School students, I applaud and thank you very much for running this story. I didnt consider it “Sexy” at all, I considered it an eye opener and compassionate to the well being of our students and community, so once again, I thank you very much. Keep up the great work.
I think your reasoning was top notch and the results appropriate. Please keep watching out for our children.
I applaud KHTS writing this story to alert parents and the community about such appalling behavior of a teacher.
For a married person to have an affair is bad enough, but when the affair is with an underage student, that is an immoral and illegal low.
Gas leaks, water issues, they are all important news to be sure, but to say this is not news is ridiculous!
Safety of our children is paramount!
For too long have our family and other families in this Santa Clarita Valley community experienced and witnessed first hand how the Local School Districts mishandle problems such as bullying by other students, staff, and even teachers.
When parents and community members bring up issues to the local School Districts, they deny, limit, and even try to intimidate the witnesses.
Parents have sought to report issues to the police department and they face difficulty in trying to file even a police report.
Unfortunately, it really is obvious that there is a “old boy” network here, where the powers that be protect each other and the students and citizens are the last on their list.
Parents have to watch our for their children and speak out and advocate for their children, even if this means reporting to the Justice Department, State Attorney General, Civil Rights, hiring attorneys, etc.
It’s extremely irritating to read comments saying this should not be posted, or that there’s no way it is true. The girl and Motherspaw posted the same exact tweet last week, talking about a new chapter together. How is that not evidence? Did they both just miraculously end up at the same point in their life that they could tweet the same feelings? Absolutely not. There is a relationship, and this valley needs to open their eyes to that and accept it. As one of his former students, it is absolutely heartbreaking to see the man who considered his students his “children” just so happened to be dating one, but it’s true and it needs to be publicized to assure it won’t happen to anyone else.
I think it is important to post the story and warn parents of these matters. Kids in high school are more independent, driving and parents aren’t keeping as close an eye on them, yet they are still kids, vulnerable, impressionable, impulsive and seeking acceptance, love, and attention, many times making bad choices as they navigate the world. This seemed innocent at first but looking back you see that this student was spending way to much time with this teacher (and his family, which made it seem ok.) She babysat for them and joined them on family outings, etc.
This is a sweet girl, from a good family, and Motherspaw was a kind, outgoing, Christian, family man. He just seemed like a kind-hearted mentor, who took kids under his wing to provide guidance and life skills. He was well liked and trusted. This could happen to anyone of our families…but, it is totally wrong that this did happen, and Motherspaw is accountable for his selfish and unethical actions, that have devastated many students, family, and friends of both sides. But it is also a warning: Parents need to be cautious of their kids getting too close to any adult in their lives, especially of the opposite sex (temptation is powerful.) This article is a wake-up call to parents, teachers, students, the school staff and district. It’s not like this hasn’t happened many times in many schools, but when it hits this close to home, it makes you realize it really could be your child.
Why is this not a bigger story? This man allegedly “had relations” with a student more then likely when she was under age. Why is he not be charged for anything? Why does he not need to register as a sex offender? Unbelievable this story got dropped so quickly. The signal needs to pick this story back up and do more digging. Hard to believe a crime wasn’t committed here.