Abuse allegations treated seriously: Board

Education director says complaints by parents about staffer were resolved

It doesn’t matter who you are, says the education director of the local Catholic school board. If you think a child is being abused, you report it.

“If anyone in society suspects abuse,” said Greg Reeves Thursday, “they’re obligated as citizens to report it.”

Reeves was discussing how the board handles complaints from parents about allegations of abuse or violence at school.

“Any complaint we get, we take very seriously,” Reeves said. “And we have a process to deal with those complaints.”

Two parents contacted The Examiner to say they had concerns about a local educator working for the Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board.

One parent made an allegation of abuse at a school. However, the parent, who asked for anonymity, did not want to go on the record with their concerns, nor did he want to identify the school.

No charges have been laid by police and no legal action is underway, the parent said.

The Examiner does not pub- lish allegations against individuals who have not been charged by police.

Reeves said he was aware of the situation but would not comment on the specific case, only to say the problem was resolved, although it appears some parents may not be satisfied.

The complaints process was followed, he said. There are steps involved.

“We ask that parents call the teacher first,” Reeves said, explaining that teachers see and hear more classroom activity than anyone else. “Many issues are solved there.”

If parents aren’t satisfied, the next step is to talk to the principal. And if that isn’t enough, parents can bring their concern to a superintendent.

As director, Reeves is the senior person at the board. He’ll look at a concern if parents feel the problem wasn’t solved by the teacher, the principal or the superintendent.

“I only get the worst ones,” he said. “And I don’t get very many of those.”

Trustees step in only when the problem can’t be solved by board staff, he said.

“The best solution is to solve it at school.”