Goodrich – An investigation of sexual harassment allegations in the middle school is finished, with results funneling into the community via a letter sent to parents and staff members.
Following the investigation, the actions of Middle School Principal Jerry Lawrason were determined not to be sexual in nature.
According to the letter signed by Superintendent Kimberly Hart, a report of the findings of the investigation has been given to the board of education, but its contents will not be released to the public. Administrators cited the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act as well as a possible disruption with the district’s ability to do a similar investigation in the future should the information be made public as the reasoning for withholding the report.
‘The statements of the students, as well as those of parents and members of the community were taken into consideration,? Hart said in the letter. ‘The investigation concluded that the behavior in question did not appear to be sexual in nature.?
Allegations against Lawrason included complaints of barking and whistling at students. The issue came to the attention of the community when students in a sexual education class discussed the situation, and parent Fred Reichart gave an interview about it on a local news station.
Tensions mounted as both supporters of Lawrason and those seeking his dismissal attended a school board meeting.
‘Appropriate action has been taken. In addition, the principal has apologized to the eighth grade girls. As a result of this investigation, the district will be contracting with an outside consultant to provide sexual harassment training and/or an assembly for all staff members and for middle and high school students,? read the letter in part.
‘We take our student concerns very seriously. The students who were uncomfortable were appropriate in expressing their concerns. We do not want any student to feel as if we are not listening to them. Whenever students are uncomfortable, the situation will be promptly addressed and appropriate action taken,? wrote Hart.
According to the district’s sexual harassment policy, ‘Harassment of students is prohibited and will not be tolerated. This includes inappropriate conduct by other students as well as any other person in the school environment, including employees, board members, parents, guests, contractors, vendors, and volunteers. It is the policy of the district to provide a safe and nurturing educational environment for all its students…?
The policy goes on to read ‘Harassment is defined as inappropriate conduct that is repeated enough, or serious enough to negatively impact a student’s educational, physical or emotional well being. This would include harassment based on any of the legally protected characteristics such as sex, race, color, national origin , religion, height, weight, marital status or disability. This policy, however, is not limited to these legal categories and includes any harassment that would negatively impact students. This would include such activities as stalking, bullying, name-calling, taunting, hazing and other disruptive behaviors.?