The Great Bend High School track coach Todd E. Kaiser, 54, was arrested Monday and booked on one count of sexual exploitation of a child.
According to the Barton County Sheriff’s Office, a former Great Bend High School student came forward about the alleged exploitation, said to have occurred in Great Bend.
The case reportedly involved sexting, a term that has entered the English language in the last decade. It refers to the sending of sexually explicit photos, images, text message or emails by using a cell phone or other mobile device.
Barton County Sheriff Brian Bellendir said a search warrant was obtained and served for electronic media.
Kaiser is a PE teacher at Eisenhower School, head cross country coach, winter weights coach, track head coach and driver’s ed teacher. He was hired Sept. 1, 1987.
The BCSO received the report Monday and Kaiser was arrested that day and booked into the Barton County Jail in lieu of a $50,000 bond. He was released late Monday night after posting bail.
The sheriff said evidence was sufficient for the arrest, but the investigation is continuing. The juvenile will not be identified, according to the sheriff. He is a male who is currently not a resident of Barton County.
The Great Bend Tribune spoke to the USD 428 Public Information Officer Jennifer Schartz, who released a statement Tuesday morning:
“USD 428 is aware of the incident involving one of our teachers and the accusations against him. The administration is handling the situation. We want to assure our parents and community that our primary concern, as in any case, is the safety and security of our students. As of today, June 7, 2016, this teacher has been suspended from USD 428 and will not have any contact with USD 428 students, programs or facilities. The district will continue to work with law enforcement as needed.”
 In all cases, defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. Formal charges are pending.

updated at 4:40 p.m. Tuesday.