In Union County, NC, where we have FOUR teachers with current charges pending, our district has not only not responded in a timely way, they also lied about calling the police on the front end. Nine days passed in one instance, instead of calling the police to do an investigation, they went into coverup mode. In another case, the teacher left Union County, and slipped across the state line to Rock Hill, SC, to teach. Just this year, a teacher at my children's highschool was arrested. It is common belief that teachers and students had knowledge of the sexual misconduct last year, and adhered to a code of silence. The girl is the daughter of another teacher in the same school.
Until there are stricter laws about the reporting of this offense, and ways to prevent those charged from seeking employment in other states and counties, we will continue to "pass the trash". All at the expense of kids.
Here is an article that demonstrates the lack of timely response, attempts to coverup, and the shifting of the blame.....note that the principal in this school did not know the "seriousness of the situation," and is now a counselor in another Union County School ....how is it that you can be a principal and not know that it is a serious situation when a teacher takes girls to the beach, gets them drunk, and has sex with them? I am asking if it is this bad in other areas, or is my district extra stupid? School officials admit sheriff wasn't told about teacher having sex with student
By RITCHIE E. STARNES -- MARSHVILLE (May 5, 2005)
Union County Public Schools officials admitted Wednesday that they never contacted law enforcement about an alleged sexual encounter between a Forest Hills High School teacher and a student.
On Wednesday, first-year math teacher Freddy Ossmann, 26, surrendered to the Union County Sheriff's Office on charges of felonious sexual offense and indecent liberties with a student.
Hours after the arrest, Luan Ingram, schools' public information officer, admitted that the school system did not report the incident to the Sheriff's Office, contrary to what she told The Enquirer-Journal on Monday.
"Evidence was collected that caused concern and immediate action was taken," Ingram said Monday in response to questions about the firing of Ossmann on April 18. "At that time, we turned over all the evidence gotten during our internal investigation and turned it over to the Sheriff's Office and we will continue to cooperate."
Sheriff Eddie Cathey, however, disputed Ingram's statement and said a school resource officer learned of the possible crime from rumors and a photo circulating at Forest Hills High School and began an investigation on April 20.
On Wednesday, Ingram applauded the work of the school resource officer for his attention in the matter and blamed the principal for the lack of communication.
"The principal (Archie Price) did not realize the seriousness of the situation," Ingram said.
Assistant Superintendent Ed Davis, however, told The Enquirer-Journal that Price notified him about the rumors of a sexual liaison between Ossmann and a student on April 15, which was a teacher work day. Davis said he immediately notified UCPS Superintendent Jerry Thomas.
Thomas said Wednesday that he had no knowledge of the Ossmann situation until he attended a staff meeting on April 18, the day Ossmann was fired.
Asked why the school system first released a statement saying they had cooperated fully with the sheriff and then recanted, Thomas laid responsibility on Ingram, saying she shoulders the responsibility for disseminating public information.
Neither Thomas nor Ingram would comment on the internal investigation, citing personnel confidentiality.
When asked why school officials did not turn the investigation over to law enforcement, Ingram said school systems across the country are wrestling with that issue.
"When do you know if what I'm hearing is enough?" she said. "It's a thin line and it's not that clear cut."
Thomas said the schools have a burden to determine if an allegation has merit before turning it over to law enforcement.
While school officials did not contact law enforcement, they did notify the parents of the student involved.
Harry Wilson, legal counsel for the N.C. Department of Public Instruction, said there is a code of ethics for professional educators that calls for them to report inappropriate actions by licensed teachers.
Ossmann, a non-licensed instructor, was hired July 29, 2004, as a part-time teacher at the school, Ingram said. He taught two classes per day and was paid hourly for his services. Ossmann was also an assistant coach for the girls soccer team and a cheerleading coach.
The school system might not have had a legal obligation, but it had a moral obligation to notify law enforcement, Wilson said.
Price is scheduled to retire at the end of the school year after more than 30 years with the system. Ingram said he plans to become a guidance counselor at the new Porter Ridge High School after a mandatory six-month leave following retirement.
-- Ritchie Starnes can be reached at (704) 261-2226 or via e-mail at
rstarnes@theej.com.
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