Ky. school in wave of abuse raps

Two high-ranking faculty members, a student and a former fishing coach were charged in separate investigations involving sexual abuse, child pornography and misconduct at McCracken County High School in Kentucky, officials said.

Authorities detailed four incidents involving faculty and staff at the Paducah school — two of which they said the school administration knew of.

Principal Michael Ceglisnki and Director of Pupil Personnel Brian Bowland face charges including official misconduct and were put on paid leave, according to WPSD. Calls to McCracken County Schools were not returned.

Separately, student Princekumar Joshi, 18, was charged with electronic solicitation of a minor and is accused of having sexual contact with a minor student and possessing inappropriate images of the student.

The minor student and her parents went to police Feb. 17. Officials learned they had first gone to the school, which knew about it for at least two days. Joshi was arrested Feb. 19. Other probes included reports made between Jan. 17 and Feb. 14. The first involves a former athletic director accused of having improper contact with current and former students.

The second report, made Feb. 5, alleges inappropriate communication between a teacher and a current and former student.

The third probe involves allegations against the school’s former fishing coach John Parks. He was charged with first-degree sexual abuse and possession of child pornography. The alleged victim and parents went to the school three weeks before reporting it to cops.

The school did not report the complaint, said McCracken County Capt. Ryan Norman, but conducted internal investigations for two of the incidents, which resulted in no administrative action in one case and minimal action in the other.

County Schools Superintendent Brian Harper said at the press conference he could not comment on why the cases were handled internally.

Sheriff Carter stressed that authorities were continuing to investigate each incident.