Statement from Board of Education Chairman Donny Lambeth about law-enforcement investigation
SEPTEMBER
7, 2010 - As members of the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Board of
Education, we care deeply about our students and take seriously our
responsibility as a Board. We strive to take every step possible to
ensure their safety, health and well-being. Parents trust us to provide
an environment that is welcoming, comfortable, and above all, safe. As
caretakers of that trust, the safety of our students is at the forefront
of all that we do.
This
carries over to our employees, as well. Our schools are staffed by
people who have dedicated their lives to educating students. It is our
responsibility to make sure that we have teachers who contribute to the
safety of our schools; principals who can guide them in their duties and
set an example for all; and administrative staff members who give
schools the support and tools to do their jobs in the safest environment
possible. If any one of us falls short in those duties, we must
immediately correct the mistake and put systems in place to prevent
these acts from happening again so that the school system can maintain
the trust of students, parents and the community.
To
that end, we have hired an outside law firm to review our methods of
reporting allegations to law enforcement agencies. We have met with
District Attorney Jim O'Neill, Forsyth County Sheriff Bill Schatzman,
Winston-Salem Police Chief Scott Cunningham and Kernersville Police
Chief Ken Gamble. We are working with them to develop a method by which
they are notified immediately of serious allegations and daily of other
allegations. The group met with principals this morning, and their
representatives will meet with principals again to finalize how schools
will report incidents to law enforcement. We also will cooperate fully
with all inquiries about past incidents or allegations. Any
inappropriate acts or behaviors by a teacher or staff member will not be
tolerated in this school district. We share the same goals as those of
the district attorney, sheriff's office, police departments, parents and
students whom we serve to maintain and protect the safety and dignity
of each one of our 52,000 students.
Based on the Board's discussion during closed session tonight, the Board will:
-
Continue
to engage Wrennie Pitt of Bell Davis Pitt to work with law enforcement
and the district attorney's office to support the investigation and to
ensure a continued level of cooperation;
-
Direct
the superintendent to fully cooperate with the investigation and work
toward any necessary policy revisions resulting from the ongoing
investigation;
-
Maintain open communication between the Board of Education and the District Attorney's Office; and,
-
Suspend with pay Drew H. Davis, General Counsel, for a time consistent with policy, pending the outcome of the investigation.
Statement given by:
Donny C. Lambeth, Chair
Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Board of Education
