Goleta teacher arrested for secretly recording minors, including at his school

A Goleta teacher was arrested Saturday for secretly recording children with hidden devices.

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office announced Tuesday the arrest of 54-year-old Steven Schapansky, who is accused of secretly recording children at several locations, including the Santa Barbara Charter School where he worked.

The sheriff’s office said those locations included areas where children could change clothes.

Schapansky was charged with invasion of privacy by use of a recording device — a misdemeanor — and has since been released.

Police learned of Schapansky’s use of hidden recording devices after receiving a report of the devices being found in his possession on Friday, July 12. He was arrested the following day.

The Santa Barbara Charter School staff page on its website is no longer active. It is unclear when the page became inactive. KTLA reported that Schapansky’s profile on the school’s website disappeared Tuesday.

An archived version of the nonprofit’s website, the Wayback Machine, shows that Schapansky taught fifth and sixth grades at the charter school.

The sheriff’s office did not say how long Schapansky secretly recorded children or how many people were affected.

According to the sheriff’s office, officers are currently working to identify the underage victims recorded.

Victims may contact the Victim and Witness Assistance Program at (805) 568-2400.