Pierce County kindergarten teacher on leave after alleged misconduct with child
A kindergarten teacher in Buckley has been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation into alleged inappropriate conduct involving a student, according to the district and a police report.
The incident involved an Elk Ridge Elementary School teacher. A mother reported that on April 22, the teacher kissed her six-year-old daughter during class, according to a Buckley Police Department report The News Tribune obtained through a public records request. The News Tribune does not generally name suspects who have not been charged with a crime.
Buckley Police Chief Kurt Alfano told The News Tribune via email May 29 that the mother reported the incident April 29, and that police determined the incident did not constitute a crime.
“The investigation is closed pending any additional information,” Alfano wrote.
The White River School District said their investigation into the allegations is still active. The teacher was put on leave “consistent with district practice and established personnel procedures,” Heather McMullen, assistant superintendent for the school district, said via email May 28.
The police report gives this account of what happened:
The school told the mother April 28 that the teacher reported an incident where her daughter allegedly kissed his cheek the previous week, and he told her it was inappropriate. The mother told police the next day, and said she was informed the teacher was concerned over employment repercussions and was initially not comfortable reporting the incident to the school.
The mother told police she asked her daughter what happened, and she allegedly said that the teacher kissed her near her lips. The teacher allegedly told her not to tell anyone, because they both could get in trouble, and he could lose his job.
The police report also said third-party sources alleged the teacher hugged and kissed other female students on the cheek, but it did not identify those third-party sources, and the information was not verified at the time.
The mother also alleged in the police report that the teacher engaged in a series of inappropriate behavior with her daughter last fall, such as braiding her hair, hanging her upside down and tickling her on her bare stomach and upper legs. She also alleged the teacher told the child she was beautiful when she wore her hair in a certain manner and wore specific clothes, the police report said.
The mother alleged that a classroom volunteer told her that the teacher appeared to have shown favoritism toward her daughter, the report said. A Buckley Police Department officer contacted the volunteer, and was “unable to determine whether a crime occurred,” the report said. The case was closed pending any new information.
The mother told police the school acknowledged her concerns and said that the teacher would receive more guidance on professional conduct and behavior, according to the report.
The News Tribune asked the district when the teacher was placed on administrative leave, why and if he was still getting paid.
“Because this is an ongoing personnel matter, we are limited in the information we can provide and are unable to comment on specific allegations, the details of the investigation, or confidential personnel information. We are committed to cooperating fully with the appropriate processes and to handling the matter with care, professionalism, and respect for all involved,” McMullen wrote.
McMullen said the school district will “communicate accordingly” if additional information is appropriate to release after their investigation concludes.
A spokesperson for the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction told The News Tribune they are aware of the recent allegations made against the teacher.
The Office of Professional Practices is the department within OSPI which investigates certified educator misconduct allegations, or allegations of a lack of good moral character, the OSPI statement said.
“The laws as currently written do not allow OPP to open an investigation unless OPP receives a formal complaint following a specific process; the educator was arrested, charged, or convicted of specific felony offenses; or the educator has had a professional license suspended, revoked, or surrendered,” according to the statement.
OSPI said they have not gotten a complaint about the teacher.
