> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.smdp.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# It’s our job to watch over our kids
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/its-our-job-to-watch-over-our-kids-editor/
- Published: 2005-07-01T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T07:21:53.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Opinion, Malibu, #archive-import

*By Peggy Nava Santa Monica*

In reading today’s Santa Monica Daily Press, I read the front page article with sadness along with great concern, regarding the teacher from Santa Monica High School, Carl Hammer (SMDP, June 22, page 1). It breaks hearts these days where some type of sexual misconduct by an adult to a child is reported in the news.

I was horrified when I read that the Santa Monica Malibu School District would even consider rehiring this man. Superintendent John Deasy was quoted as to having to check with attorneys at the district and the union levels about rehiring him. But what about our kids? I don’t think we should have to debate whether to take a felon on as a teacher even if at one time a teacher brought many accolades to the school.

Some things in life are obvious, so I have a great concern here and especially when there is a crime such as this. The article indicates that he may have done something sexual with a minor. Isn’t the high school filled with minors in the band where he would be teaching? The article indicates that a teacher’s aide could be hired. This aide would have to stick by him like glue to make sure nothing ever happens, and if he did do something, would another victim pay the price? This is not to say what the cost would be to the district. The students at the high school are underage and it is our job to watch over them and protect them. There has been news story after news story lately about this kind of stuff and we need to be vigilant and proactive about the safety of each of the students at Samohi.

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on July 1, 2005.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/070105.pdf?ref=smdp.com)