Teacher suspected of sharing marijuana

A Corona del Mar High School teacher who some students said blurred the line between professor and peer was arrested on suspicion of giving marijuana to a Newport Harbor student, police said Tuesday.

Chad Edward Smith, 37, who teaches math, was arrested Thursday afternoon at his Newport Beach home after police said they investigated a parent’s concern that their teenager was smoking marijuana with the instructor.

“He didn’t make that barrier like ‘I’m a teacher. You’re a student,’” said junior Caroline Eskew, 17. “Anyone felt like they could go to him with anything.”

Police said last week they received a call from a concerned Newport Harbor High School parent. The parent had seen a text message on their 16-year-old son’s phone from Smith that contained a conversation about smoking marijuana together, Lt. Craig Fox said.

Police then contacted the teenager, who confirmed his mother’s suspicions, Fox said.

Authorities said Smith knew the student through a chance meeting at a restaurant.

Attempts to reach Smith for comment were unsuccessful Tuesday.

Authorities went to Smith’s house Thursday with a search warrant and found a small amount of marijuana and text messages on his phone and arrested him, officials said. He bailed out of Newport Beach jail on a $50,000 warrant later that evening.

Smith has been placed on paid administrative leave while the district investigates, Newport-Mesa Unified spokeswoman Laura Boss said.

Among the school’s students, even those who weren’t in his class, Smith had a reputation for connecting with them and having a fun class, even letting kids listen to their iPods in between assignments and throwing parties once a week.

“When you walked by his room, it made you feel happy,” Eskew said. “He made learning fun.”

“Nice guy, funny...cool,” said Pete Kitzens, 18. “When I worked up in the office, I’d see him come in and he’d talk. He always joked.”

Police are investigating whether Smith provided marijuana for other students and urge anyone with information or who may have been a victim to call (800) 550-NBPD.