San Jose teacher arrested for inappropriate relationship with 17-year-old student

SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) -- News that English teacher Trudy Hill had been arrested quickly made its way around Santa Theresa high school and the community of San Jose.

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"Terrible, terrible, terrible," said San Jose resident Tanya Nicosia. "We can't even send our kids to high school and have to worry about the teachers?"

San Jose police say Hill engaged in a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old male student between August and November.

They say she used her position of authority to exploit him.

"I was very blindsided by the allegation and very disappointed that it happened at one of our schools," said Superintendent of the East Side Union High School District, Chris Funk. "it's an unfortunate situation, but it's a situation we will continue to learn from, grow from and continue to provide the best possible, safest environment for all of our students."

Funk says Hill has been with the district for nine years and at Santa Teresa High School for about three.

Connie Gazaway's niece is a student at the school. "I guess the thing that bothers me most, it doesn't seem like there are consequences," she said. "Especially for female teachers. it's kind of like a double standard compared to a male teacher."

Hill has been placed on leave pending the criminal investigation. San Jose police say no other alleged victims have been identified at this time.