Superintendent's Update
1/2/2022
A MESSAGE FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT
Incident At Davis Elementary School
Dear Centennial School District Parents, Guardians, Staff, and Community Members:
I am writing to address recent media reports and provide important information regarding allegations against a Centennial School District (CSD) teacher. Specifically, the allegations being investigated involve two separate incidents that reportedly occurred in October 2024 at Davis Elementary School. After several weeks of investigation by law enforcement, these allegations have resulted in non-traffic citations, and the district is taking these allegations very seriously. While I understand the concern these reports generate within our community, we must allow the law enforcement investigative and legal processes to proceed. Recently, the police department provided CSD with the results of their investigation, and I would like to clarify the process and our responsibilities to our students and staff.
This issue is being handled in accordance with board policies and legal guidelines. As required by legal guidance, board policies, and procedures, the employee was and continues to be, placed on administrative leave with pay pending the outcome of the investigation into allegations of inappropriate physical contact with students.
I want to assure our community that we are following all required protocols to address this situation thoroughly and fairly. Now that we have been cleared by local law enforcement to begin our process, the district has initiated formal proceedings through an official hearing process, as required by law. Our primary focus remains the safety and well-being of our students. We have clear policies regarding appropriate interactions between staff and students, including specific guidelines about physical contact. These policies are regularly reviewed and strictly enforced.
Ensuring Due Process
As a public institution and government entity, Centennial School District is bound by laws and collective bargaining agreements that ensure fairness and due process for all employees. Due process involves a legal theory called the job as property doctrine, which states that employment is a fundamental right of American workers and that the loss of employment has such a serious impact on a person's life that individuals should not lose their jobs without the protection of due process later codified under the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution. (See Arthur W. Sherman, Jr., George W. Bohlander, and Herbert J. Chruden, Managing Human Resources, 8th Edition (Cincinnati: South-Western Publishing Company, 1988), p. 442.) This property right protection obligates the school district to deal in good faith with employees and take corrective action based on just cause (i.e., good reason). This cause requirement, in turn, mandates that we take corrective action measures only for clear, compelling, and justifiable reasons.
These legal and contractual protections are in place to uphold the principles of fairness and justice. No determinations about wrongdoing can be made until the investigation is complete and due process is provided. Taking premature action without proper investigation and due process would violate these principles and potentially compromise the integrity of the process. In addition, it could lead to legal liability for the School District.
Why the Teacher Remains on Paid Leave
The teacher in question has been placed on administrative leave with pay, a standard procedure in situations where allegations are being investigated. Administrative leave ensures that the teacher is not in the classroom while the matter is being reviewed, prioritizing student safety and minimizing disruption to the learning environment. During this period, the teacher continues to receive pay as required by applicable and contractual agreements. This practice is not a determination of guilt or innocence but rather a safeguard to allow the investigation to proceed fairly. Pay cannot be terminated unless and until due process is provided. The School District has started the procedures required by due process.
The Procedure and Process in Matters Involving Allegations
The procedures and processes that School Districts must follow under the law in situations where allegations are made that may warrant a suspension without pay and dismissal are as follows:
1. An investigation and interview of witnesses and review of other potential evidence will be undertaken. Both inculpatory and exculpatory evidence must be considered.
2. If warranted from the investigation, a notice of allegations and scheduling a meeting with the employee will be provided. The purpose of the notice and meeting is to allow the employee to give his or her side of the story and provide evidence that may be relevant.
3. If warranted by the evidence, the employee is appropriately disciplined, taking into account applicable legal standards and cause standards. The discipline could include a suspension without pay pending dismissal proceedings. However, this decision cannot be made until due process is provided to the employee.
4. If a decision is made to suspend without pay pending dismissal, the next step is the issuance of a statement of charges by the School Board. The employee would have the option to have a school board hearing (which can be public or private as decided by the employee under law) or an arbitration hearing.
This is a basic description of the process the School District must follow by law and under the collective bargaining agreement with the teachers union.
Our Commitment to Safety and Integrity
The safety and well-being of our students is our highest priority. The district is conducting a thorough and impartial investigation. We are committed to ensuring that the findings are addressed promptly and appropriately once the investigation concludes and due process is provided. If disciplinary action is warranted, it will be taken in accordance with established legal and collective bargaining agreement requirements.
Community Engagement and Transparency
We understand that this situation may cause frustration and concern. However, it is essential to respect the confidentiality of the investigation and the rights of all individuals involved. We are dedicated to keeping our community informed within the bounds of what is legally permissible.
Centennial School District is grateful for our community's ongoing support and trust as we navigate this matter. Our school counselors and administrators are available to address any concerns you may have about your child's well-being.
We will continue to cooperate fully with all appropriate authorities as needed and will provide updates to our community as we are legally permitted to do so. I respectfully urge all community members to avoid speculation or premature judgments. Everyone involved has legal rights that must be protected, including the right to due process. The district is committed to upholding the values of fairness, accountability, and transparency in all our actions while maintaining appropriate confidentiality throughout this process to protect the privacy of all individuals involved, including our students.
Thank you for your understanding and continued support of our school community.
Dana T. Bedden, Ed.D., CAA
Superintendent of Schools
Thank you for your continued support and trust in the Centennial School District. We're creating a safer, stronger learning community for all our children.
