Principal put on leave amid probe

An alleged groping incident at South High School has prompted two investigations, one aimed at the incident itself and the other at the school’s response to the allegation.

South principal Jen Hanson and student adviser Lynette Lucero were placed on administrative leave, according to a letter sent to parents Friday from Denver Public Schools deputy superintendent Susan Cordova.

“We have received information about concerns at our school that require a closer look,” the letter said. “While we look into these concerns, in order to be fair and thorough, we have placed Hanson and Lucero on administrative leave.”

DPS officials declined to comment further on the investigations.

Police received a report Sept. 27 of alleged “inappropriate touching” at South High that happened Sept. 14, during homecoming week, police spokesman Sonny Jackson said.

Investigators were pursuing the case when the victim’s parents said they didn’t want the incident investigated, Jackson said.

“They did not want to move forward with it,” Jackson said. “So we stopped.”

Jackson said those directly involved in the allegations are juveniles.

Police, however, are looking into the lag time between the day the incident allegedly happened, Sept. 14, and the day police were notified, Sept. 27.

“We are still looking into that,” Jackson said. “No one has been charged and no one has been arrested.”

Assistant principal Cheri Hilton will be at the helm of the school through the investigation.

The investigation follows a shake-up in leadership at East High School over the way a cheerleading coach forced his cheerleaders to stay in splits despite their protests.

The story made national headlines and ultimately led to the resignation of Lisa Porter, the assistant principal, and the early retirement of Andy Mendelsberg, the principal.