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Police say high school instructor molested two underage girls

John Dickey

A Silver Springs High School teacher, who previously taught at Nevada Union, was arrested Monday night on allegations that he molested a 7-year-old girl and a teenage girl, according to police.

While there is no indication any Silver Springs students were involved, Truckee police plan to interview students on the high school’s Grass Valley campus at some point.

“Right now, we have nothing at the school to show there’s anything there, but we will definitely be looking into that,” said Truckee Police Commander Scott Berry.



Truckee police arrested Robert M. LuVisi, 51, of Truckee, on suspicion of annoying or molesting a child under 18, child endangerment, and lewd or lascivious acts with a child under 14.

LuVisi was being held Tuesday on $50,000 bond in Nevada County Jail in Truckee.



The allegations involve two Truckee victims at this point, a 7-year-old girl and a teen-age girl, according to police. The alleged crimes took place from fall 2002 to January 2003.

Police said LuVisi was jailed after admitting to the allegations, which surfaced after a report of child molestation concerning the 7-year-old girl.

LuVisi was placed on administrative leave immediately upon hearing from Truckee police of the arrest, said Kurt Stenderup, assistant superintendent for personnel with Nevada Joint Union High School District.

The leave will become unpaid upon the filing of charges by the district attorney’s office. The school will also report the charges to the California Commission of Teachers, which issues teaching licenses.

LuVisi has taught at Silver Springs for two to three years, and previously taught at Nevada Union High School. He was hired by the district in August 1987.

Stenderup said there were no previous allegations against LuVisi.

“The few people who have heard about it have been shocked about the whole thing,” said Stenderup.

Silver Springs administrators at the 120-student school on McCourtney Road met Tuesday to notify teachers.

The school’s principal plans to meet with students today to tell them of the arrest. Counseling will be available if any students or faculty need it.


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