43
Poland schools investigate teacher-student relationship
POLAND
A Poland Seminary High School teacher is on unpaid administrative leave pending the outcome of an investigation into an allegation that she had an inappropriate relationship with a student.
The school board voted Monday to put Cassandra Kibler, who teaches Italian, on unpaid leave effective immediately. The resolution stipulated that she will remain on leave until one of the following occurs: the board removes her from leave; a criminal investigation into the allegation concludes; or she requests that the leave be terminated.
The resolution goes on to state that, “Upon the occurrence of any of the above conditions, the board will have the right to immediately initiate disciplinary proceedings in accordance with Ohio law.”
The action occurred in response to a tip that school officials received Friday, Superintendent David Janofa said.
“The high-school administration got a phone call Friday, late afternoon, around 1:30 p.m.,” he said. “This phone call was from a parent outside of the state of Ohio. Her daughter and a student at Poland Seminary High School were talking about a relationship between a female teacher and a male student.”
By about 3 p.m. Friday, Janofa said, Kibler was called into a meeting. After that, she was put on administrative leave under his authority as superintendent.
School administrators have since talked to the student and his family, Janofa said.
“Our sole objective at this point is making sure that our student is safe, and making sure everything is OK with him,” he said.
Janofa said township and village police were alerted to the allegation. It was not clear Monday whether a criminal investigation is underway. Poland Township police are aware of the situation, but said that the purported victim had not filed a report with their department. Although the school is located in the township, it’s possible that the activity in question could have taken place somewhere else.
Internally, the school district is conducting its own investigation.
Janofa described the allegation as Kibler having an “inappropriate” relationship with a student that “was more than just text messaging” and “more than just social media.”
He said Kibler has worked for the district for seven years.
At a board meeting Monday, the school board approved the resolution putting Kibler on unpaid leave after brief comment from Janofa.