Cedar Springs teacher charged with CSC

CEDAR SPRINGS, Mich. (WOOD) - A Cedar Springs teacher was arraigned on Wednesday afternoon after being accused of having sex with a 17-year-old student.

Jon Jungkind faces two counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct and was ordered to not have any contact with the victim. His bond was set at $10,000, which he posted late Wednesday night.

He was ordered at his arraignment to not live within 10 miles of the school district. He is also prohibited from having contact with the student involved in the incident.

The victim, now a senior, told police she had sex with the 44-year-old chemistry teacher twice over the summer.

She said the first time was at his home, after looking at her senior pictures. The other time was allegedly after a bonfire, and alcohol was involved.

Other students at school noticed the pair seemed 'close.'

"My daughter came home and said one of her friends was texting with a teacher," a concerned parent said.  "She thought that was kind of odd."

The parent also told 24 Hour News 8, the student was known to eat lunch with the teacher regularly at a local restaurant. An employee that didn't want to be identified confirmed that.

"They were hugging and stuff outside," the student employee said. "I don't exactly know what it was, but that was something kind of typical to see... They'd hang out a lot."

It was a student that tipped off school officials, they then contacted authorities, according to the Kent County Sheriff's Department.

"It just goes to show that you really never know... The people that you trust with your children sometimes betray that trust," the Cedar Springs parent said.

Jungkind is currently on paid leave. The superintendent told 24 Hour News 8 he is not aware of any incident taking place on school property.

In a letter sent to parents, superintendent Ron McDermed wrote:

I regret to inform you that Cedar Springs High School teacher, Mr. Jon Jungkind, will be arraigned in district court today on charges of criminal sexual conduct involving a minor. The allegations against Mr. Jungkind involve one victim, and at this time, it does not appear to involve any other students in the district. Of course, if you have any concerns about your child's interactions with Mr. Jungkind, please feel free to share them with a school administrator or the police department.

The school district has been proactive, working cooperatively with the Kent County Sheriff's department in the investigation, and will continue to do so. The school district has also initiated its own investigation.

Though I expect you may have questions about the details of this matter, the school district's investigation and Mr. Jungkind's employment status, I ask you to understand that confidentiality requirements may prohibit the school district from responding in detail to some of your questions. We can tell you that the teacher is currently on administrative leave pending the outcome of our investigation.

As always, the safety and security of our students is our top priority and we will continue to act with that priority in mind.

Ron McDermed, Superintendent
Cedar Springs Public Schools

"It didn't surprise anybody," a student said of the charges. "I didn't expect it, I guess. But it didn't surprise me that he was charged with it."