A 37-year-old teacher from Lethbridge, Alta., has been charged with possessing, accessing and distributing child pornography following an investigation by the Internet Child Exploitation Team (ICE).

Dwayne Schnell, who teaches grades seven to 12 at École La Vérendrye, was arrested on Feb. 22 with the assistance of Lethbridge police.

"Currently we're in the early stages of our investigation and we strongly encourage the public or anyone with information or concerns to contact the police immediately," said Const. Jason Richmond with the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams, which includes ICE.

"Part of our investigation will include a forensic examination of the computer devices and electronics seized from Mr. Schnell's residence."

Potential for more charges

The investigation continues, according to the release, and further charges "are being contemplated."

The investigation began in January when ICE was alerted by the National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children to a social media user who was uploading child pornography.

Salina Ulrickson, who sits on the parent council for École La Vérendrye, has never met Schnell, but is concerned about his arrest. (Radio-Canada)

Daniel Therrien, the superintendent of the Conseil Scolaire FrancoSud, which operates École La Vérendrye, said they are cooperating with police and that parents have been notified.

"The school board's first priority is and always has been the safety and the well-being of the students," he said.

Salina Ulrickson, who sits on the parent council, says she hasn't crossed paths with Schnell, but is stunned by the allegations.

"I couldn't believe that it was happening at our little school, that one out of 12 teachers would be under suspicion of child pornography."

Ulrickson says Schnell mostly teaches high school math and science.

He is expected to make his first court appearance on Thursday.