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MYRTLE BEACH  -- A Myrtle Beach middle school teacher has been arrested and accused of having a sexual relationship with a 13-year-old student.

Norbert Ryan, 32, an eighth grade Social Studies teacher and football coach at St. James Middle School was released from jail Thursday on $40,000 bond and is required to wear a GPS monitor so authorities can track him.

The Horry County School District has placed Norbert on leave with pay, pending the outcome of the investigation into the alleged relationship.

School officials say Ryan was asked to leave the campus Wednesday after school administrators were informed by a parent of the possible relationship.

"Within just an hour of getting the report and checking on it, we were able to take action," said Horry County Schools Superintendent, Dr. Cindy Elsberry.

A few hours later, Horry County Police arrested Ryan off school grounds and charged him with criminal sexual conduct with a minor.

The news stunned parents.

It was "devastation" for Pat McCormick, a parent of a seventh grader at St. James. "You know, when I found out I, couldn't believe it," she said.

"How can a teacher of all people, you know, kids look up to them, they look to them as role models, how can a teacher do that?" asked a bewildered McCormick. "It blows me away," she said.

State prosecutors allege that Ryan and the 13-year-old student had an ongoing sexual relationship and that they considered themselves boyfriend and girlfriend.

They say the student admitted to having sex with Ryan at his home in Myrtle Beach.

"It's very scary," admitted McCormick, "Especially one living this close. I mean, I live right next door to the school."

School officials stress that there were no sexual incidents that occurred on school grounds.

Ryan is not allowed on any Horry County School property, and he'll have to ask the court's permission before leaving the state of South Carolina. Ryan's initial court appearance is scheduled for January 22nd.

(Barrington News Network station WPDE News Channel 15 contributed to this report.)