In the second scandal to surface from Skyview High School in two days, sheriff’s detectives on Thursday arrested a teacher who also works as a boys track and football coach on suspicion of having a sexual relationship with a girl who graduated in 2008.
Nathan J. “Nate” Botnen, 33, of Vancouver was booked at the jail late Thursday afternoon on suspicion of 30 counts of first-degree sexual misconduct with a minor, according to Sgt. Kevin Allais with the Major Crimes Unit of the Clark County Sheriff’s Office.
Botnen is to make a first court appearance Friday morning.
He was voted by his fellow coaches as the 4A Greater St. Helens League boys track coach of the year this spring. He also has served as an assistant football coach for the Storm.
Allais said detectives contacted Botnen at Skyview on Thursday, and he agreed to come to the unit’s office to be interviewed. Botnen then admitted to having sex with a girl many times, beginning when she was 17, during the 2007-2008 school year, Allais said.
The girl graduated in 2008 and the relationship ended in August 2008, Allais said.
Suspicions arose Wednesday when school administrators learned of inappropriate text messages between Botnen and the girl, revealing an alleged sexual relationship, and notified the Sheriff’s Office.
Allais said detectives have no indication that Botnen had sexual relations with any other schoolgirls, and he was aware of no other Skyview teachers under investigation.
However, if anyone has information about any additional victims, they can call Detective Lindsay Schultz at 360-397-2028.
Botnen has been placed on administrative leave pending further developments, said Missy Hallead, human resources director for Vancouver Public Schools.
He has worked at Skyview High since 2000, Hallead said.
He served first as a coach, student teacher and staff assistant. He joined the full-time faculty in 2004 and was teaching chemistry and biology this year, besides his coaching duties, Hallead said.
School officials acted quickly after the information surfaced Wednesday.
“Any time we receive this type of information, we take it very seriously,” Hallead said Thursday.
Second arrest in two days
Botnen’s case is unrelated to Tuesday’s arrest of a privately paid Skyview band assistant who made his first appearance Wednesday in Clark County Superior Court on suspicion of sexual misconduct with two students.
Adrian B. Kelley, 23, graduated from Skyview in 2005 and began working with the band program last year, said Kathryn Murdock, general counsel for Vancouver Public Schools.
Kelley was arrested Tuesday and booked into the Clark County Jail.
Judge Roger Bennett set bail at $5,000 for Kelley, whose father was in court and said Kelley could live at home pending trial. Arraignment was set for Oct. 12.
Bennett appointed Clark Fridley to represent Kelley, who faces six counts of sexual misconduct with a minor.
Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Mike Dodds told Bennett that there are two alleged victims in Kelley’s case.
Sgt. Scott Schanaker said the alleged victims were 16 when they were with Kelley.
He said if anyone has information on possible additional victims they should contact Detective Todd Barsness at 360-397-2040.
Training required
“Safety and security of students is important, for all of us,” said Mike Stromme, associate superintendent and chief information officer for Vancouver Public Schools. “The administration will be doing everything to create that environment.”
By Sept. 30 each year, all district employees are required to complete an online training session entitled, “What every employee must know,” Hallead said. The tutorial centers on inappropriate behavior; this year’s version was updated to include social networking and bullying issues, she said.
In addition, all Vancouver district athletic coaches were “highly encouraged” to attend an August coaching institute that addressed several ethics and legal issues, Hallead said. Topics included texting, social networking, “appropriate boundaries” and “sexual boundary invasion,” she said.
She could not confirm whether Botnen completed either the mandatory online training or the voluntary coaches’ training this year.
Vancouver school officials said there is no further investigation under way at Skyview, of a similar nature.
John Branton: 360-735-4513 or john.branton@columbian.com. Howard Buck: 360-735-4515 or howard.buck@columbian.com.
