BVA teacher put on leave pending investigation
A Belle Vernon Area School District teacher has been placed on paid leave pending an investigation, Superintendent Dr. John Wilkinson confirmed Friday.
School board president Joe Grata released a statement but did not indicate what the exact circumstances surrounding the investigation were.
“Social media and technology used for inappropriate behavior have become an unfortunate consequence of the Internet age,” Grata said. “When the administration and staff at Belle Vernon Area receive any report of such activity, we take it seriously, investigate and act accordingly. Schools are to educate young people in a safe, wholesome environment. We will not tolerate wrongful, immoral or illegal activity.”
Dr. Wilkinson declined to release the name of the teacher pending the investigation, confirming only that the teacher was a male middle school teacher and that police have not yet been involved.
Dr. Wilkinson said he was alerted to the situation Thursday by middle school principal Greg Zborovancik, who called him saying there was an issue. The teacher being investigated was sent home around 12:30 p.m. for the rest of the day.
“In my investigation right now, there’s still a lot of work to do yet,” Dr. Wilkinson said, noting that he would consult with the district’s solicitor.
Dr. Wilkinson added that the investigation would continue until at least Monday but is not likely to extend beyond Tuesday.
“Every option is on the table,” Dr. Wilkinson said. “My main job is to make school safe for all students.”
Both Dr. Wilkinson and Grata said the behavior being investigated “did not rise to the level of” recent alleged incidents in the Plum School District, in which three Plum teachers accused of sexual relationships with high school students used social media to contact them, according to multiple reports.