Paso school employee on leave after ‘inappropriate communication,’ district says
A Paso Robles Unified School District staff member was placed on administrative leave May 30 due to “inappropriate communication” between the the staff member and a student, the district said Thursday.
According to a news release updating the public on the reasons for the decision, the District said it understood that the community had “many questions” about its original brief statement released Wednesday.
In the release, the district said allegations regarding inappropriate communication between a Lewis Flamson Junior High School staff member and a student came to the District’s attention during the last week of the school year.
Immediately after receiving the allegations, the District contacted law enforcement, placed the staff member on leave and opened an investigation into the issue, the release said.
“While student safety remains the District’s top priority, we must also respect the privacy of the student complainants and maintain the integrity of the ongoing investigation,” the District’s statement read. “We can share that the allegations involve inappropriate communication by a staff member with students including communication online, which does not align with the District’s policy prohibiting such conduct.”
According to the release, all District staff are required to complete training regarding the prohibition of online communications with students.
“If any students, parents or staff have information to share regarding staff member online communications with students, please contact Shauna Ames, Assistant Superintendent of HR at sames@pasoschools.org,” the release read. “Upon conclusion of the investigation, the District will continue to keep the community informed.”
