By ANDREW HARRIS
The Bolivar Police Department has explained how the investigation into a Bolivar-Richburg teacher and coach is taking place.
On Friday, Bolivar-Richburg Superintendent Michael Retzlaff released a statement that said, “The District recently learned that an allegation of possible inappropriate conduct was made against one of its employees. We are cooperating with law enforcement in its investigation and are taking appropriate internal steps in response to the complaint.”
Retzlaff added the employee is on leave while the investigation takes place. The teacher will not be coaching in an athletic contest this weekend, he confirmed.
Acting Officer-in-charge, Steven McPherson said his department is investigating and he has conducted several interviews. Next week, McPherson said he will meet with the Allegany County District Attorney’s Office to go over the findings.
If parents or students have information, McPherson said they can call his direct line at 585-928-2544.
McPherson, who is also the school resource officer at B-R, said there will be two investigations. When the criminal investigation is complete, the school will be conducting an internal investigation.
Here is the story from Friday:
A Bolivar-Richburg teacher and coach who was scheduled to coach student-athletes this weekend is on leave as an investigation into alleged inappropriate conduct is completed.
On Thursday night, a parent of a student posted on Facebook about the teacher and the incident. There were over 100 comments and several from current and former students with allegations of inappropriate verbal comments. However, the post was deleted.
Bolivar-Richburg Superintendent Michael Retzlaff spoke to the Wellsville Sun today and issued a statement stating the school is working with law enforcement and takes all complaints seriously.
Before the statement was released, Bolivar-Richburg students protested outside the school with signs and a petition was circulated demanding that the employee be, “fired for sexual harassment.”
In his statement, Retzlaff said, “The District recently learned that an allegation of possible inappropriate conduct was made against one of its employees. We are cooperating with law enforcement in its investigation and are taking appropriate internal steps in response to the complaint. Although we cannot comment on a specific personnel matter, Bolivar Richburg remains committed to providing a safe and supportive learning environment for all students and takes all complaints seriously.”
Retzlaff did inform the Wellsville Sun that the Bolivar Police Department was investigating the allegations.
Police said a parent or student can call the direct line for the chief at 585-928-2544 and all calls will be confidential.
The identity of the accused employee has not been released.
Retzlaff was asked about the employment status and if the teacher would be coaching this weekend and he said, “The employee is on leave until the investigation has been completed.”
