Teacher accused of sexting resigns from Santa Maria school district

Posted: Dec 3, 2010 5:42 PM by Ariel Wesler
Updated: Dec 3, 2010 9:35 PM

A Righetti High School teacher has stepped down after she was accused of sending sexually explicit text messages to a student.

Michelle Hill was a 10th grade Biology teacher at Righetti High School in Santa Maria. The school district placed her on administrative leave about three weeks ago while they interviewed parents and students involved. The district has accepted her resignation.

Sandra Bishop lives down the street from Michelle Hill. Her son is also one of Hill's former students. She says news of Hill's resignation has shaken up her neighborhood.

"I brought my son and his friends home and she was out there and they wanted to go down there and I was like, I don't think that's such a good idea," Bishop said.

Hill was accused of sending sexual text messages to at least one student last month. In one example, she's allegedly texting a student about another student.

Hill writes: "I was dreaming about him again last night. Maybe it was wishful thinking but I kept thinking about waking up with him and being able to sleep next to him.

Student replies: "That would be great if it happened. and you know (he) feels the same."

Hill responds: "I hope he does but it never seems to come together where he's able to come over except that first night."

"You're there to teach the students and I just think that there's a line," Bishop said.

The district says Hill picked up her things last Wednesday, before Thanksgiving.

"Her and her husband Kyle decided that was the best thing for her to do," Bishop said. "The other teachers. She's just going to be under a microscope. I don't know how you would be able to teach your students."

We tried contacting Hill, but she was unavailable for comment.

At this point, another teacher is taking over the class for the time being. District leaders say Hill will not be teaching at any other school in the district.

So far, she is not facing any charges. The Santa Maria Joint Union High School District is still investigating. The Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office would not comment.