The Guardian (Charlottetown)

Board, school must address criminal issue

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The English Language School Board must take immediate action to deal with the vice-principal of Stonepark Intermedia­te who pleaded guilty last week to two criminal harassment charges.

Parents of students attending the junior high are demanding that he be removed from the classroom. They can’t imagine any student wanting him to remain in the education system.

It’s insufficie­nt for the board and its superinten­dent Cynthia Fleet to stay silent “because it’s a personnel matter.” It’s well past that Ms. Fleet. Trial coverage was reported extensivel­y in The Guardian. The board can’t just avoid the issue.

It’s a matter of public concern. Parents have legitimate issues about a teacher — with a recent criminal record — in the classroom.

The teacher was to chaperone a bus tour of students to Quebec this week. Angry parents intervened to ensure this didn’t happen.

If there is a board policy on this situation, what is it? Was it followed? And if there isn’t a policy, why in the heck not? Where does the P.E.I. Teachers’ Federation stand on this? What is their policy?

Without going into the specifics, the board, Ms. Fleet, and Stonepark principal Norman Beck find themselves on the horns of a dilemma. There is a perception they are more interested in protecting a teacher over the concerns of students and parents.

The vice-principal pleaded guilty last week to two criminal charges of harassment involving an adult woman. Details provided at trial revealed an unsettling portrait of a man who for months harassed and terrorized the victim.

The news came as a shock to parents and students. It was far past the point of irony that the teacher was instructin­g a healthy relationsh­ip program and saw nothing wrong with his own behaviour. There was no apology . . . no regrets.

He is not a person that parents want to see in the classroom instructin­g their children.

Did the board or school know of the pending charges? Did they take any steps to remove the teacher from the classroom and put him on administra­tive leave until the trial was decided?

Were parents even informed that a criminal issue was pending or that the school and board were on top of things to ease any concerns?

Yes, we firmly believe in innocent until proven guilty but we’re well past that point now. We have two guilty pleas and testimony of disturbing behaviour.

A sentencing hearing is set for March 8. Parents need assurances that the issue is being dealt with now. They are not interested in waiting to see what sentence is handed down and what action the board might take in six weeks time.

There is a lack of leadership being demonstrat­ed here. Will the minister of education have to step in?

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