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Clawson would not comment with regard to why the alleged abuse stopped approximately three years ago.
The alleged incidents involve a child Hopper met outside of school grounds, said SMHS Principal Kenny Nicholson. Superintendent Mack McCary confirmed that the charges against Hopper are not school-related, and that he has been suspended indefinitely without pay.
"We're monitoring the legal proceedings and are open to his reinstatement, with back pay, if circumstances are different than we have been led to believe," McCary said.
Charges against Hopper stem from information supplied to the Jackson County Sheriff's Department by the Jackson County Department of Social Services, said Detective David Grant. Hopper and his wife, Jo Anne, who reported the alleged crime, are said to be engaged in divorce proceedings as a result, Clawson said.
"No other victims have come forth," Clawson said, who would not comment on how or when Mrs. Hopper, a marketing professor at Western Carolina University, became aware of the alleged incidents.
Administrative search warrants were issued Tuesday in hopes of uncovering employment records and determining if any disciplinary action has been taken against Hopper by either the Jackson County Board of Education or any principal he has worked under. As of Tuesday afternoon, additional interviews have been scheduled as part of the ongoing investigation, said Clawson.
A native of Louisiana, Hopper moved to Jackson County in 1992 and began teaching August 1993 at Blue Ridge School, where he remained employed for five and a half years before transferring to Smoky Mountain in January 1999.
Prior to the Wednesday morning arrest at SMHS, Sheriff Jim Cruzan allowed Nicholson to bring Hopper to the school office, Nicholson said. The sheriff handcuffed Hopper and took him into custody around 10:15 a.m., the principal said.
"The sheriff had serious charges against him, but (Hopper) was not actually arrested in the classroom," Nicholson said.
SMHS students and staff were shaken by Hopper's mid-morning arrest. Nicholson discussed the situation with faculty members after school Nov. 26 and addressed it with students the following day.
"I met with the faculty that afternoon, and I felt like the students needed to know the facts as we knew them," Nicholson said. "I felt it was important that every student heard the same thing."
The following statement was read to all SMHS students Nov. 27 during their first-period class:
"Yesterday a tragic event occurred involving one of our teachers. We wanted you to have the correct information. Mr. Nathan Hopper was arrested at school yesterday and charged with 30 counts of first degree sexual offense-child abuse. These charges are non-school related and did not take place on the school campus. He is being held on $1.5 million bond."
SMHS students who might have information about the case were instructed to talk with school resource officer Keith Webb, a school counselor or administrator, or Assistant Superintendent Nancy Sherrill, who is the school system's Title IX coordinator.
By all accounts, Hopper is a well-liked and effective teacher.
"He's a great teacher; the kids really liked him," Nicholson said. "(The charges against him are) difficult to imagine."
McCary, who has been superintendent since February, said he had not known Hopper long but considered him "one of (the school system's) best teachers." The fact that Hopper seemed universally respected is "why there is such a sense of shock" at his arrest, McCary said.
Several SMHS students spoke highly of Hopper as well, with one sophomore expressing apprehension about passing state end-of-course exams in Hopper's absence.
Hopper's current classes will be covered by personnel already in place at the school, Nicholson said. A part-time instructor who teaches a first-period biology class in Hopper's room will take over Hopper's second-period class, and a student teacher who completed her requirements at SMHS last week will teach Hopper's remaining two classes.
Hopper, handcuffed and wearing striped jail-issued clothing, established his lack of financial resources during a brief hearing Nov. 30 before Judge Steve Bryant at the Jackson County Justice Center. Roy Patton of Waynesville was named Hopper's court-appointed attorney.
Patton said Tuesday afternoon that he had met with his client and did not anticipate a hearing to reduce the bond, said by many to be one of the highest in county criminal history, before Thursday.
"The only comment I would have at this time is to remember that at this point he is accused of a crime," Patton said. "He hasn't been convicted and is presumed innocent."
Patton declined comment as to whether Hopper's impending divorce is a result of the criminal allegations of child sexual abuse.
Hopper's arrest comes as the school system is recovering from the sex scandal that rocked Blue Ridge School in June.
Former teacher and Athletic Joe Brooks pleaded guilty in July to having sex with a student and facilitating students having sex with each other both at his home and in his office during school hours. Brooks was sentenced last month to five years in prison.
Former deputy and Blue Ridge resource officer Robbie Hess pleaded guilty last month to obstruction of justice for his role in assisting Brooks accomplish his crimes. Hess received a suspended sentence.
In the wake of the Blue Ridge scandal, Superintendent McCary established an advisory panel to recommend ways the school system could better prevent instances of sexual abuse and sexual harassment.
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