Three school officials in Texas have been indicted for failing to report an incident of student abuse, leading to widespread outrage among parents who feel the school is prioritizing the employees over the well-being of students.
As reported by The Victoria Advocate, the principal, assistant principal, and head baseball coach at Hallettsville High School are facing serious allegations related to the abuse of a student by peers. Charges have been filed against Calvin Cook, the head baseball coach, Scott Cottenoir, the assistant principal, and Darrin Bickham, the principal, for neglecting their legal obligation as educators to report such incidents.
Parents have expressed their concerns for weeks, particularly after noticing that comments regarding the arrests were removed from the school’s social media posts. One concerned parent, Megan Turner, highlighted her frustration, stating, “They deleted every single comment. It’s concerning that they seem to protect employees without waiting for a full investigation.”
In a statement, Dr. Jo Ann Bludau, the district superintendent, assured the community that the district is cooperating with law enforcement. Despite the serious charges, she expressed confidence in the innocence of the Hallettsville employees, claiming that the district does not believe there is any risk to students or staff.
According to KENS 5 News, the failure to report the incident occurred in early March during an away baseball tournament in Hondo, where allegations surfaced that a student was sexually abused by other students. Parent Lisa Thompson voiced her concerns, emphasizing the responsibility educators have to report any signs of danger to children. “Teachers must act when they suspect abuse,” she remarked. “How can we trust that they will protect our kids if they didn’t report this?”
Adding to the distress, several parents reported seeing the indicted employees still present on campus shortly after the arrests. The district athletic director mentioned that Coach Cook was scheduled to lead a baseball game, despite the ongoing investigations.
The Texas Education Agency allows districts to make their own decisions regarding the employment status of indicted personnel unless their charges involve severe crimes such as homicide or human trafficking. Parent Joslyn White strongly believes these administrators should be removed from the school environment for the safety of the students, stating, “They should take leave. Our children’s safety comes first.”
Amid the outcry, White has been actively rallying support from other parents, concerned that the alleged cover-up may have left a child suffering in silence. “If they didn’t report this, what else are they hiding?” she questioned, reflecting the anxiety many parents feel regarding the safety of their children in the school.
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Summary
A principal, assistant principal, and head baseball coach in Texas have been indicted for failing to report student abuse, sparking concern among parents about the safety of their children. The school district has faced backlash for allegedly siding with the accused employees before a thorough investigation. Parents are demanding accountability and transparency regarding the incident and the administrators’ presence on campus.