Leave the man alone until the results of the audit are available. This could ruin a life and a career when he may be totally innocent of any wrongdoing. If he is guilty of some impropriety, then that will come out in due time.

Also where does the Deseret News get off stating that the teacher had an affair with a student, that had not been proved either.

The media needs to report but snide remarks and innuendo are not the mark of professional journalism.

This is cheap "stab them in the back" journalism that belongs in a Hollywood gossip column. There are no criminal charges because there is no proof. If the authorities find proof, then write your column. Destroying a man's character without proof is wreckless at best; criminal at worst. Why the Deseret News would publish this is a mystery.

Just who put this story out to the media and tied it to the sex story? That person is out to get Mr. Smith. It was on KSL as if the two things were related. He should sue the District.

I disagree with the first two posters.

This story is what is needed - it lays out the facts and addresses some of the rumors by pointing out that they are just rumors.

It is nice to know what is really going on instead of having to speculate.

Is it a fact that a 62 year old teacher had an affair with a 17 year old student?

I think that is still a rumor at this point. Until an underage affair is proven, printing it as a fact is not right. The statement in the article didn't even say "alleged" or "rumored" affair.

My daughter attends Layton and in talking with many other parents recently and even before my daughter was old enough to attend Layton everyone wondered why Mr. Smith has not been replaced long before now.

It is a shame that his long career is being tarnished, but at the same timeit is trully time for change and have a more engaging pricipal at the helm of this school that has marginal acedemics when compared to others. When individuals stay to long in a career and should have retired 10 years ago it they lead like someone who started his career 24 years ago.

If he does not want to retire it is time for him to be moved to a different school change is a good thing and will do Layton High good

I had to laugh that Mr Smith was afraid of what people would think of him, but I have talked to a lot of parents and they all feel the same way he is not what he used to be. He is basically stuck in the mud and the school is right there with him.

.... And wouldn't you prefer not to have your reputation destroyed based on no evidence. I don't see "just the facts" as you say, I see poor reporting and connecting a "sex scandal" in the same story when apparently they are not connected. We have no need to know anything which might destoy a lifetime of dedication until there is concrete evidence. I don't even know this man but I feel very sorry for him and his family. I prefer to wait until their is proof of wrongdoing before speculating and being bombarded by innuendo. If he is guilty of something, publish the information then, but in the meantime, have some consideration.

I wholeheartedly agree with you...change is good. After all the allegations and accusations, the bottom line is "what about the kids?" Every school should have a leader that is doing what is best for the students first and foremost. Kudos to those in the district office that are making a statement with this issue! In this world today, we can't have leaders that have the mentality "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" or continue to be "stuck in the mud". We need positive change and especially in a high school, it starts with the principal! On a more personal note, I have dealt with Mr. Smith and he is the definition of arrogance...good luck Layton High...you deserve better!

I lost all respect for Smith in 2004 when he refused to give diplomas to two students who wore their Utah National Guard Army uniforms to graduation. One of those soldier has since died having never received his diploma because of Smith's spite, and the other is now 24 years old and married and has yet to receive his. It just goes to show you, nasty things happen to nasty people.

I lost respect for Smith as a Junior in High School as he repeatedly denied my request for early college. He was a very good principal to those involved in sports. Us science types were ignored. No respect for this man at all.

it is laughable that "Mayor Steve Curtis" is chiming in on this matter. He's in the race of his life politically and this does NOTHING to endear him to those who actually see how he "works".
Where there is smoke there is fire, no matter how one "looks" at this whole Layton High debacle.