LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A New Albany-Floyd County assistant superintendent says the school system has contacted authorities about a substitute teacher, after students said he made inappropriate, sexual remarks in a sixth grade classroom.
As students made their way home from Scribner Middle School in New Albany Thursday afternoon, parents got wind of an incident that happened the day before.
"Very scary. Worrisome that this is in my child's school," one parent said.
A letter went home to parents who had kids in classrooms where a substitute teacher allegedly made sexual remarks.
The letter says the teacher was subbing in a 6th grade class on "Tuesday and Wednesday of this week", and students reported he "made inappropriate comments in the classroom". It says, "We investigated this report and the substitute was removed from the classroom".
Scribner Middle School Principal Keith Bush says multiple students reported to school officials that the teacher made sexual comments in the classroom in front of two different groups, made up of about 50 students total.
He says the substitute, from the outside agency Kelly Services, was escorted out of the building and was told that he would no longer work at any New Albany Floyd County School.
"I'm glad that the kids would stand up and say something and they would take it to the appropriate level to have something done and not just turn their back and think that it was another joke or that nothing should be done because he's an adult or they would get in trouble, or something like that," says Michelle Cavano, who has a student who attends Scribner Middle School.
School officials say they've spoken to the students who were in the sub's classrooms, as well as concerned parents, and commend the students who alerted them.
As for Kelly Services, the employment service that the substitute teacher was with, we were referred to their corporate office. They would not comment due to the ongoing investigation.
So far, there have been no charges.
The following is text of the letter that went home with students on Thursday.
"Dear Parents of our Ms. Rosenbarger / Mr. Dowdell 6th Grade Team-
I wanted to inform our parents/guardians that a substitute teacher from Kelly Services was subbing for Ms. Rosenbarger on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week. Yesterday, students reported to us that this substitute made inappropriate comments in the classroom. As soon as we were informed, we investigated this report and the substitute was removed from the classroom and we informed him that he would no longer be working at Scribner Middle School or any other New Albany Floyd County School.
We are so proud of our students for reporting this situation so that we could follow up immediately. I will continue to strive to make our students' learning environment the best it can possibly be. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
[Signed]
Mr. Keith T. Bush
Principal
Scribner Middle School"
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