The arrest of a Moniteau High School teacher on sexual assault charges has understandably shaken the Moniteau community. Jonathan Crum, who had taught 11th-grade English and European history and was an assistant football coach, is accused of being sexually inappropriate with five current and former female students during the past four years.

The charges filed by the state police include institutional sexual assault, corruption of minors and indecent assault. Crum also is charged with possessing child pornography and criminal solicitation of child pornography.

Although similar cases have been in the news in years past, it’s most troubling when such an incident happens close to home.

Especially troubling to Moniteau residents is that Crum’s alleged crimes are believed to go back to 2009, yet he escaped suspicion and criminal charges for about four years.

It hasn’t been disclosed how the allegations against Crum surfaced. All that is known besides the public information contained in the criminal charges is that the Moniteau School Board confirmed last month that it had suspended the 26-year-old teacher without pay.

Rumors regarding Crum had been circulating in the district for some time leading up to Monday, when he was the subject of a preliminary arraignment before District Judge Lewis Stoughton.

He initially was jailed in lieu of $100,000 bond, but was released after posting the bond later Monday.

The allegations against Crum are out of character for someone who’s married, has children, and had a stable career. He was foolish to think that his alleged actions would not someday surface.

This case shakes the assumption parents have when they send their children off to school each day. That’s the assumption that they will be in a safe, enriching environment.

It’s when people like Crum come along — and at this point, Crum remains innocent until proven guilty — that parents’ confidence is dashed.

The district is using its guidance counselors and representatives of community programs to provide support to the staff and students. That is as it should be.

From the district’s perspective, the less said the better, to keep the district focused on its educational mission. But the school board and administrators must discuss additional strategies and recommendations so crimes like those alleged against Crum never again can persist for so long, or exist at all.

Moniteau residents can be excused for being shaken. Crimes of the sort alleged against Crum are the kind of acts that people believe happen somewhere else, not so close to home.

It’s understandable that they’re wondering what could be done at Moniteau or anywhere else to avoid a repeat of what the district now is enduring.