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Parent accuses district of failing mandated-reporting; district says external investigator engaged
Summary
During public comment, a parent alleged that staff failed to report alleged sexual harassment and that mandated-reporter duties were not followed; district officials said allegations have been forwarded to attorneys and an external investigator and that the process is ongoing.
A member of the public raised allegations during the April 10 Parma City School District board meeting that staff and administrators failed to report alleged sexual harassment and did not follow mandated-reporter laws.
Vicky Farson, who identified herself and provided an address for the record, told the board that a teacher was on leave following allegations of sexual harassment and said "multiple teachers and administrators knew about these accusations and failed to report them to CPS or Title 9 as required by law." Farson said parents need accountability and described frustration with the pace of response.
District leadership responded in the meeting. Dr. Smiley (identified in the meeting as a district administrator) said the district continues to receive allegations and is forwarding them to outside legal counsel; the counsel has engaged a private investigator. Smiley told the gallery and speakers that the district is investing "countless hours" reviewing concerns and that the matter is now with external investigators and attorneys. He said the district will "turn over every stone" to reach a fair resolution and that, beyond acknowledging the ongoing investigation, there was nothing further the district could say publicly at that time.
Why it matters: Allegations of alleged mandated-reporting failures and personnel misconduct raise legal and trust issues for families, and the district indicated it is using external legal and investigative resources to address the claims.
Public comment on these allegations drew an admonishment from the meeting chair when remarks were characterized as disparaging; the district said it would respond further at the next regular meeting as allowed by policy.
