A Ravenswood City School District employee has been arrested for lewd conduct with a middle school student on campus, East Palo Alto police announced today (Sept. 16).
Arrested was James Edward Fitch, 54, of Stockton, who has worked for the school district as a campus relations coordinator since at least 2012, according to records on Transparent California.
Police started an investigation into Fitch on Sept. 6 after learning that he had engaged in inappropriate behavior with a student at Cesar Chavez Ravenswood Middle School at 2450 Ralmar Ave., according to a statement from Cmdr. David Santos. Cesar Chavez Ravenswood is the K-8 district’s only middle school.
Fitch was placed on leave as soon as the district learned of the allegations, according to a statement from Superintendent Gina Sudaria. Fitch was barred from entering any district campus and could not contact students, Sudaria’s message says.
“We are deeply saddened for the involved students and their family. We will continue to offer support services and counseling,” Sudaria wrote.
Fitch was arrested at his Stockton home today by the East Palo Alto police and the United States Marshal’s office, after serving a $500,000 arrest and search warrant according to Santos.
Fitch is expected to be booked into jail today, Santos said.
Anyone with information related to the case is asked to call Detective Sergeant Jose Luaorozco at 650-629-4538.