Johnstown Jr./Sr. High School teacher and city councilmember Scott Jeffers.

By Michael Mashburn From Daily Voice

A New York special education teacher and city councilmember is accused of engaging in sexually explicit conversations with an underage student.

Fulton County resident Scott Jeffers, 42, of Johnstown, was arrested Thursday, Dec. 11, following an investigation launched at the request of Greater Johnstown School District Superintendent Amy Arcurio, according to New York State Police.

Investigators concluded that Jeffers, a special education teacher at Johnstown Jr./Sr. High School, repeatedly communicated with a student under the age of 17 through social media, text messages, voice calls, and in person, police said.

The conversations were not related to his role at the school and were at times sexual in nature and included discussions about drug use and physical violence, police said.

Jeffers coaches several athletic teams, which provided him additional access to the victim, according to police.

Jeffers surrendered at the State Police barracks in Fonda, where he was arrested and processed. He was arraigned in Johnstown City Court and released on his own recognizance.

State Police publicly thanked the Greater Johnstown School District for its cooperation and urged anyone with additional information or concerns to contact investigators at 518-457-6811 or email Crimetip@troopers.ny.gov.

Jeffers is currently serving his first term as Johnstown’s council member-at-large. His city-issued biography lists more than two decades of involvement in local government, education, tourism, historical groups, and community service. 

He holds multiple degrees in secondary education and special education and has coached track and field and soccer.

Daily Voice has reached out to the Greater Johnstown School District for comment.