My 14-year-old son is a student at Centennial Middle School in Snohomish. On Dec. 8, my son learned via a group text with friends that the vice principal at Centennial had been arrested for rape of a child (“Snohomish school leader on leave following sex abuse allegations,” The Herald, Dec. 11). I was shocked to be informed of this by my child instead of through a statement released by the school. On Monday and Tuesday that week, the information spread rapidly through the schools, and by Wednesday, students talking about it were asked not to. As of Dec. 11, there still has not been a statement made by the school or district, neither to parents nor students.
It is unacceptable for the school to depend on our children to disseminate information regarding such a serious accusation of school leadership. Instead of being asked to stay quiet on the issue, students should be encouraged to come forward with any questions or concerns and given resources to manage the grief they may be feeling around this.
Furthermore, not releasing any statement or allowing and encouraging student discussion with qualified adults gives the impression that the school hides and protects sexual predators.
While it may be a legally tricky situation to make such a statement, other school districts, like Tacoma School District, have been able to make legally appropriate statements about employees on leaves of absence. I encourage the Snohomish School District to do the same so that the onus of staying informed about potential sex predators in our schools is not put on our children.
Jackie Burkett
Snohomish
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