| Posted: Wed Oct 28th, 2009 08:03 pm |
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BUTTERFLYER
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Two things: One, the program was cancelled for this year at least.
Secondly, I understand your point about changing the name of the program, I however think by doing this we are saying it was a "misunderstanding" by the teacher and high school student. It certainly was not a misunderstanding as the teacher's common sense should have told him to not go home while he had a class! The high school kids common sense should have told him his actions were totally out of control, and felonious. By cancelling this program, good, honest kids will not get the opportunity to explore the education field before college. Just as importantly, elementary/middle school students will not get the chance to learn from some of the FINE students the high school has to offer. That, along with the victimization of these young girls is a HUGE problem.
Not to worry though, the teacher did not break policy and shall be around to teach your little darlings as well!
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| Posted: Wed Oct 28th, 2009 05:09 am |
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DQ
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Thank you, Sienna. I did want to say that, although I am not absolutely certain, I dont think the program has been canceled. Taken from the last two articles, Dr. Fitzgerald said that it is 'in the process of being evaluated", and evidently Mr.Whitehurt recognized the real problem, stating earlier that, "how it is to be monitored and supervised is going to come under review". I imagine that someone has been given the task to collect data & compile info, such as the #of students participating, their placements, (I believe there are also job shadow opportunities in several careers outside of education field), history of successful assignments, as well as problems resulting in students discontuing participation, evaluation methods, and, of most relevance, guidelines/responsibilities of student and supervising adult.
Personally,I would like to see the name of the program changed from "Career Intern/Peer Teacher" to "Career Intern", eliminating "Peer Teacher", the words and any future misinterpretation.
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| Posted: Wed Oct 28th, 2009 02:41 am |
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sienna
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Well said DQ. The above the law protocal shines through in your assessment. What a shame that the peer teaching program has been shut down as a result. Why discontinue a valuable program that has been around for probably 20 years based on the actions of employees that didn't do their job? The board and the superintendent should be ashamed of themselves for not looking out for the well being of the student population. I am sure the parents of the victims are not happy as well as the parents of students that are now denied the right to peer teach based on the district not following their own policy. This is only one example. I can't imagine how many more situations have been covered up over the years. Maybe it helps that one of the board members is an attorney that represents kids/staff that have charges against them. Perhaps he downplays the situations to the rest of the board or advises them on what is to come. If so-seems a bit unethical.
SRO's in other districts do press releases when reportable incidents occur. (as per requirement to report them to the state) Perhaps we should demand CR to do the same.
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| Posted: Tue Oct 27th, 2009 10:35 pm |
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DQ
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I am alarmed by the arrogant disregard of their own policy, not to mention state and federal laws. Working 33+ years in public education as a teacher, counselor and administrator, I have to ask, did anyone in the district advocate for the three victims? How disturbing it is that school officials appear to have initially attempted to minimize serious criminal allegations. Even more troubling was their subsequent choice to simply ignore court evidence and accept no responsibility for what happened to three young students while in THEIR charge. However, since certain personnel matters cannot be discussed publicly, I naively assumed that several employees would eventually be held accountable for neglect of duty and noncompliance with required procedure. Instead, I was dumbfounded by Supt. Fitzgerald’s latest irrational and irresponsible statements that only serve to support this forum’s repeated references to CR’s superior air of being above the rules. I wish to respond to several comments (in chronological order) made by CR officials; I apologize beforehand for the length.
Sep30 (Superintendent Kevin Fitzgerald said Mr. Mikula was suspended from school from May 18 until he graduated on May 30."He lost senior privileges during that period of time," said Mr. Fitzgerald. "He was removed from the baseball team. He missed the senior awards program.")The offenses were reported to Postlethwait administration May 12. He was not suspended until after parents filed criminal charges May 18. Looks like CR didn’t think it was all that big of a deal until police indicated otherwise.
(Mr. Lott left him alone with his students several times in November and December, according to the affidavit. Mr. Lott also served as an assistant baseball coach at the high school. When the superintendent was asked on Tuesday whether district policy allows teachers to leave their classes unsupervised, he said: "Right now there’s pending litigation, but certainly we expect our classes to be supervised.")It was a simple question: Does district policy allow teachers to leave their classes unsupervised? The answer is, “No”. In fact, the district policy speaks to the supervision of students 3 times. I will copy and paste those statements below.
Oct 19 ("Luckily this young man is done with our schools," said David Henderson, president of the Caesar Rodney Board of Education.)What? Oh, NOW he takes the issue seriously, only took 4 months to express concern. Yes, luckily the young man is gone. But what about the man who is equally guilry, what about the teacher, Mr. Lott, who neglected his “required responsibilities” and left his students with that young man DOZENS OF TIMES throughout the year thereby providing that young man with the opportunity to repeatedly abuse, degrade and intimidate at least three 8th grade girls. Three different girls from 3 different classes in 3 different marking periods, almost all year long; imagine how they must have felt when they would all too often hear “Mr. Mikula is in charge now”. Furthermore, how can a teacher leave his students unsupervised dozens of time the entire school year, often leaving the building, without SOMEONE noticing? Did he sign out, as required, or did he sneak out? Where were his supervisors, Dr. Noel and Mrs. Toles-Torain? No one knew that some kid was teaching gym class last period fairly regularly? Don’t administrators walk around occasionally, supervising their buildings? If the administrators did know, or even suspect, but did nothing, they are as guilty as Mikula. If they did not know, they should have.
("It’s an unfortunate situation and we certainly wish it had never happened," school board member Charles E. Whitehurst said Friday, as concerns over how the district dealt with the case continued to mount. Mr. Whitehurst said he had not received any calls or letters about the case…)I am confused as to why Mr. Whitehurst stated that “he had not received any calls or letters about the case”. Was he measuring how much attention this unfortunate situation deserved by community member’s response? Don’t the facts alone outrage him?
(Police said Mr. Lott left Mr. Mikula in charge of the class several times, in violation of district policy.) The reporter seems to have read the district policy.
Oct 21 ("I have not received any letters or phone calls about the incident. The only e-mail I’ve gotten was to say ‘Please don’t end the teaching program. It’s meant too much to the students who have gone through it who end up as teachers,’" Dr. Fitzgerald said.) Again, why the concern w/ community response? The program has true merit and is immensely beneficial to most participants. The program should have never been the issue; the required supervision of the participant is the issue.
He reiterated that the district does not condone Mr. Mikula’s actions and dealt with it the way it felt was appropriate. "We understand it was the wrong thing to do. That young man was out of line…” Out of line?! An 18 yr old boy touches 8th grade girls on their breast, buttocks, picks them up & runs around, ask for oral sex and Fitzgerald describes that as “out of line”?! I wonder if he would use those same nonchalant words if it were one of his daughters.
"We understand that there are parents who weren’t happy with what the adjudication was, but we can’t control that.” How dare he presume to know how the parents felt about the sentence. I can safely say that they are more unhappy with the way he and other CR officials have mishandled the situation from the onset.
He also said the district has not taken any sanctions against Kenneth Lott, the gym teacher who was being shadowed by Mr. Mikula, because "we didn’t think the teacher violated district policy." Then, Supt Fitzgerald and whoever else is included in the “we” should resign immediately. Please read policy references:
Caesar Rodney School Board Policy STAFF RESPONSIBILITIES
All staff members are expected to carry out their assigned responsibilities with conscientious concern. The following required responsibilities are essential to the success of ongoing school operations and the instructional program:
_ Concern and attention toward their own and the Boards legal responsibility for the safety and welfare of students, including the need to assure that students are under supervision at all times.
CR Board of Education Policy Manual
Section J Students
(File JLI) STUDENT SAFETY
The safety of Caesar Rodney School District students will be assured through close supervision of students in all school buildings and grounds…
(File JLIA) SUPERVISION OF STUDENTS
The Caesar Rodney School District Board of Education affirms that when students are in school, engaging in school-sponsored activities, or traveling to and from school on school buses, they are responsible to the school, and the school is responsible for them. School personnel assigned to their supervision serve in loco parentis.
In keeping with this expected prudence, no teacher or other staff member will leave his or her assigned group unsupervised except if an arrangement has been made to take care of an emergency.
Pass this info on and maybe CR will receive all those letters and call that they seem to require to do the right thing.
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| Posted: Sat Oct 24th, 2009 05:56 pm |
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BUTTERFLYER
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Scrambling at its best! In fact, from what I hear, they cancelled the program altogether. Nothing like shutting the barn door after the horses have left the building!
Interesting that the district didn't think the teacher violated policy. I guess it is standard practice to leave the kids unattended? I wonder if this finding was due to the threat of a civil suit? I sure am glad my kids are through the school system already.
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| Posted: Fri Oct 23rd, 2009 02:43 am |
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roosy10
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It sounds like scrambling to save face to me....aka standard procedure
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| Posted: Wed Oct 21st, 2009 03:33 pm |
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tspong
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What do you think?
From the Delaware State News:
CR District board mulls peer-teaching program
By Jamie-Leigh Bissett
Delaware State News
During a Tuesday-evening Caesar Rodney Board of Education meeting, Superintendent Dr. Kevin Fitzgerald discussed the peer-teaching program at Caesar Rodney High School, saying it is in the process of being evaluated.
The evaluation comes on the heels of a plea agreement reached by former student Bryan Mikula a few weeks ago to a misdemeanor sexual harassment charge in Kent County Superior Court.
The board did not discuss the matter at Tuesday’s meeting, nor were there any comments made from the public.
"I have not received any letters or phone calls about the incident. The only e-mail I’ve gotten was to say ‘Please don’t end the teaching program. It’s meant too much to the students who have gone through it who end up as teachers,’" Dr. Fitzgerald said.
He reiterated that the district does not condone Mr. Mikula’s actions and dealt with it the way it felt was appropriate.
"We understand it was the wrong thing to do. That young man was out of line, and we punished him and the court system punished him," Dr. Fitzgerald said. "We understand that there are parents who weren’t happy with what the adjudication was, but we can’t control that. We supplied all the information we had to the attorney general’s office. We did what we could and this was the determination that was made."
He also said the district has not taken any sanctions against Kenneth Lott, the gym teacher who was being shadowed by Mr. Mikula, because "we didn’t think the teacher violated district policy."
Staff writer Jamie-Leigh Bissett can be reached at 741-8250 or jlhughes@newszap.com.
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| Posted: Mon Oct 19th, 2009 03:53 pm |
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tspong
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What do you think?
From the Delaware State News:
CR district may halt program after plea
Harassment case puts peer-teaching in spotlight
By Al Kemp
Delaware State News
CAMDEN — Officials with the Caesar Rodney School District may discontinue the peer-teaching program at Caesar Rodney High School two weeks after a former participant accepted a plea deal to a misdemeanor sexual harassment charge in Kent County Superior Court.
Bryan Mikula, who graduated over the summer while facing felony charges, had been a participant in the program, and assisted an eighth-grade physical-education class at Neil Postlethwait Middle School one class period each day since the fall of 2008.
Court documents say Mikula fondled three girls in the class and made inappropriate sexual remarks. Mr. Mikula denied the fondling was intentional, but admitted to police that he invited one of the girls to perform oral sex.
"Luckily this young man is done with our schools," said David Henderson, president of the Caesar Rodney Board of Education.
"It’s an unfortunate situation and we certainly wish it had never happened," school board member Charles E. Whitehurst said Friday, as concerns over how the district dealt with the case continued to mount.
Mr. Whitehurst said he had not received any calls or letters about the case, and predicted that the Caesar Rodney School District Board of Education’s monthly meeting Tuesday night at Postlethwait will be "fairly routine."
"I believe the (peer-teaching) program and how it is to be monitored and supervised is going to come under review," he said. "We’re going to review the policy because we don’t want anything like that to ever happen again."
Board President Henderson said he doesn’t expect anything out of the ordinary Tuesday. Mr. Henderson is a retired Delaware State Police trooper now serving as chief deputy sheriff of Kent County.
Caesar Rodney High School Principal Elvira Knight said the peer-teaching program has been in place at the school for years.
"Students apply as seniors to spend a class period in whatever they are interested in," she said.
Mr. Mikula, who aspired to teach physical education, "shadowed" Kenneth Lott, a teacher at Postlethwait who also was a coach at the high school, where Mikula was a standout athlete.
Police said Mr. Lott left Mr. Mikula in charge of the class several times, in violation of district policy.
Michael Noel, principal at Postlethwait, declined to discuss the matter, referring all questions to the superintendent, Kevin Fitzgerald.
The Delaware State News was unable to speak with the superintendent on Friday and Saturday. Caesar Rodney celebrated its annual homecoming festivities last weekend.
In Kent County Superior Court on Sept. 29, state prosecutor Jason Cohee asked Judge Robert Young to impose a harsher penalty on Mr. Mikula than the presumptive sentence spelled out by the Delaware Sentencing Accountability Commission.
Judge Young imposed a sentence of 30 days in prison, suspended for one year of Level 2 probation, which means monthly contact with the Probation and Parole Division of the Department of Correction. Mr. Mikula was also ordered to undergo mental-health evaluation and treatment, and to have no contact with the girls.
Mr. Cohee said he asked for the harsher penalty "because of the severity of the charges" that were thrown out.
Staff writer Al Kemp may be reached at 741-8296 or akemp@newszap.com.
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| Posted: Thu Oct 15th, 2009 09:48 pm |
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BUTTERFLYER
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I guess CRHS couldn't cover up the girl that brought a knife to school? I am sure the student had a valid reason of course. Who is the PR person over there anyways?
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| Posted: Wed Oct 14th, 2009 02:09 am |
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violetdragonfly
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Double standard means that the rules or standards that are in place don't apply to everyone, or are applied unfairly. Sounds like that's just what happens and that we are in agreement.
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| Posted: Tue Oct 13th, 2009 04:18 am |
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roosy10
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I don't think double standard is the word, if there were standards we wouldn't be talking about it now. To me standards indicate morality, integrity, and justice. This reeks of scandal, corruption, and cover up.
To me it feels like the CR school district (mainly Fitzgerald) looks at a scenario and says, "How am I going to exercise my power today?"
In the case of Cinderella and her glass slippers - the clock strikes midnight and she's a pumpkin no questions asked. How dare someone defy MY orders...off with her head.
But with an athlete, it's a boys will be boys reaction. A "he hasn't been convicted of anything..." reaction.
From what I hear that's how CR works. If you're in the boys club (and women are very much in the boys club from what I understand) they have the ability to slap you on the wrist, put an arm around you, and say with a wink and nod, "This will be our little secret." However, if you aren't "one of their own" your shoes can literally be the wrong color they have no problem taking you out of line, showing you who's boss, and teaching you a lesson you will never forget.
I'm sure the next incident we hear of (who knows how many will happen before we hear of one again though) the muscles will be flexed and CR, with mighty Dr. Fitzgerald leading the way, will not tolerate such behavior at their school. And one thing will be certain - the person in trouble either a) wasn't in the club or b) had screwed up so bad they couldn't cover for him.
PS. Flyer - I would be job hunting too, but I wouldn't be using the lawyer on the school board to do it.
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| Posted: Tue Oct 13th, 2009 12:23 am |
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BUTTERFLYER
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I am sure they are hoping this will just fade away, like most of the other issues they have had there. If I were the dad of one of these young ladies, I would go after everyone I could. (Not physically, but job wise/monetarily.)
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| Posted: Sun Oct 11th, 2009 11:56 pm |
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violetdragonfly
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Roosy, I was thinking the same thing. The girl had overcome a lot of personal obstacles and bought a pair of shoes that would be wearable more than once and wasn't allowed to walk or participate in the ceremony, after all her hard work. Yet this guy can fondle and act inappropriately with young students under his supervision and hey, no problem-o. Such a double standard.
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BUTTERFLYER
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This is simply one of many of the things swept under the rug by mighty CR, except this one found a way out. If people only knew the things that go on there. Interestingly enough, the lawyer for the girls is the same one that is on the school board. I wonder how that works? Anyone else keep their job if they simply leave it for a couple hours unattended without permission on numerous occasions? Me either! Guess I am in the wrong line of work.
Roosy, I remember the shoe thing, too funny!
Last edited on Mon Oct 5th, 2009 11:11 pm by BUTTERFLYER
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jeffgordan
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I think the board members need to do an investigation of the comments made and the lack of interest shown or action taken by superintendent Fitzgerald about this entire incident. There were questions asked by the reporter that were never properly or completely answered by him. They need to be! This was not just an incidental violation of those girls rights and it should not be handled as such.. The school and the perpetrator need to know that this will not be tolerated now or in the future.
The family's involved should be reassured by the school that controls have been put in place so that this doesn't happen again.
Last edited on Mon Oct 5th, 2009 12:49 am by jeffgordan
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roosy10
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After discussing this story with my wife, she reminded me of a graduation incident a while back at CR where a girl wasn't allowed to walk at graduation because she had the wrong colored shoes.
CR grads can be celebrated if they are headed to the clink - just as long as their shoes aren't pink.
Nice message Mr. Fitzgerald, way to earn your 100 grand
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roosy10
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May 19th, June, July, August, September. I guess despite their best efforts Caesar Rodney "does not have the ability" to suppress news of the arrest. If things weren't trying to be swept under the rug why would this accused felon be allowed to walk on graduation day? Meeting the requirements for graduation gets you a diploma; not the right to participate in a graduation ceremony. Stories like this make me wonder what else goes on in this school district? Seems to be some skeletons in the closets to me.
My tax dollars hard at work...God bless America
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tspong
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What do you think?
From the Delaware State News:
CR grad, 18, pleads guilty to sex charge
Mikula avoids possible six-year sentence
By Al Kemp
Delaware State News
DOVER — A former athlete at Caesar Rodney High School who admitted inviting a 14-year-old girl to perform oral sex at F. Niel Postlethwait Middle School in Rising Sun pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor sexual harassment charge Tuesday in Kent County Superior Court.
As part of the plea agreement, the state dropped two felony charges of first-degree unlawful sexual contact and spared Bryan Mikula the possibility of being sentenced to up to six years in prison.
Instead, Judge Robert B. Young sentenced Mikula, 18, to 30 days in prison, suspended for a year’s probation, during which he is to have no contact with the girls involved and undergo mental health evaluation and treatment.
Mr. Mikula was a Caesar Rodney senior when he was arrested on May 19. He spent his senior year in a program where he would "shadow" Postlethwait gym teacher Len Lott for one period each day, helping the students with stretches, warmups and other activities, according to court documents obtained by the Delaware State News.
On numerous occasions between November 2008 and May, Mr. Mikula slapped three eighth-grade girls on the buttocks, fondled their breasts and made various suggestive remarks, according to the affidavit of probable cause filed by arresting officer Cpl. Andrew Palese of Delaware State Police Troop 3.
In one incident, he allegedly picked a girl up by the hips and threw her into the air until she began to cry. Mr. Mikula was also heard to say to another student, "Come over later, I know you’re a freak."
Caesar Rodney School District Superintendent Kevin Fitzgerald said Mr. Mikula was suspended from school from May 18 until he graduated on May 30.
"He lost senior privileges during that period of time," said Mr. Fitzgerald. "He was removed from the baseball team. He missed the senior awards program."
Asked why the district allowed a young man facing felony charges to graduate from high school, the superintendent said, "he had met all of the requirements for graduation."
The superintendent declined to say whether he had met with parents after Mr. Mikula’s arrest. He said "an investigation was conducted," but would not talk about "specific cases."
Mr. Mikula, a varsity baseball and football player, "shadowed" Mr. Lott because he aspired to a career teaching physical education, and Mr. Lott left him alone with his students several times in November and December, according to the affidavit.
Mr. Lott also served as an assistant baseball coach at the high school.
When the superintendent was asked on Tuesday whether district policy allows teachers to leave their classes unsupervised, he said: "Right now there’s pending litigation, but certainly we expect our classes to be supervised."
Under questioning by Cpl. Palese, Mr. Mikula denied deliberately touching the girls or making sexual remarks, but later admitted inviting one of them to perform oral sex, according to the court papers.
During Tuesday’s court appearance, defense attorney Gregory A. Morris assured the court that his client was remorseful and prepared to accept responsibility for his actions.
"He understands the nature of the charge," said Mr. Morris. "This is something that he’s going to take with him for the rest of his life."
Deputy attorney general Jason C. Cohee invited two of the girls involved to read statements to Judge Young.
"Because of what he did, he took away all the trust I had in teachers," said one.
"It is absolutely disgusting that the man had plans to be a teacher in the future," said the other.
Cpl. Jaime Dorsey-Sterner, state police spokeswoman, said media outlets were not alerted to the arrest out of concern for the girls’ anonymity,
Asked whether the school district tried to suppress news of the arrest, Mr. Fitzgerald said "we don’t have that ability."
Staff writer Al Kemp may be reached at 741-8296 or akemp@newszap.com.Last edited on Thu Oct 1st, 2009 04:36 pm by tspong
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