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Parent tells Casa Grande school board her daughter was assaulted, says principal did not report it; superintendent will follow up
Summary
At a Casa Grande Elementary School District board meeting, parent Ruth Yanez said her daughter was assaulted at Casa Grande Middle School on Feb. 27 and that the school principal did not report the incident to police; Superintendent Dr. Lecky told the board he will investigate and update the family.
Ruth Yanez, a parent, told the Casa Grande Elementary School District governing board during the meeting that her daughter was assaulted at Casa Grande Middle School on Feb. 27 and that the school principal did not notify police.
Yanez said the principal, “missus Arnofsky, didn't report this incident to the police department. Instead, she expelled my daughter and allowed the aggressor to come back to the school.” She told the board she later obtained video evidence that led her to report the assault to police and that charges were filed after the officer reviewed the video.
Yanez said additional evidence was not provided by the school and alleged teachers were told to erase videos: “We have come across to additional evidence that the principal, missus Arnofsky, was unable to provide because her teachers told the students to erase any evidence videos related to this incident.” She told the board she reported the incident to police 33 days after the assault and that an officer investigated and filed charges in one day.
Yanez also said the principal accused her daughter of “carrying, possessing, exceeding, and using a firearm, explosive weapon, knife, or other dangerous or illegal instrument” under an alleged citation she identified as “ARS 15 dash 8 for 1,” and that the principal presented no police report or evidence supporting that accusation.
Superintendent Dr. Lecky responded during the meeting: “I'd be happy to follow-up, look into the matter, provide the board an update and, communicate with the family.” The superintendent did not provide further details during the meeting about specific next steps or timing for that follow-up.
Board meeting rules on public comment were read earlier in the meeting; the board president noted that, under the statute read aloud, action following public comment is limited to directing staff to study the matter, responding to criticism, or scheduling the matter for a future agenda.
No formal board action or vote on the parent's allegations took place during the meeting. The superintendent's commitment to follow up was recorded as a staff direction but not as a formal board action.
