Hernando County School Superintendent John Stratton released a statement dated April 13, 2023, today regarding the Fox Chapel Middle School incident on March 24th. In that incident, a teacher undergoing sex-change therapy reportedly made remarks expressing a desire to harm herself, as well as remarks interpreted by some as a threat toward students. The incident led to some parents withdrawing their children from that school, as well as the board being confronted by concerned, angered parents at their April 11th School Board meeting.
In today’s statement, Stratton said that prior to the release of the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office report, the district was not fully aware of the circumstances surrounding the March 24th incident. Stratton noted that the report contained information “in conflict” with that which had been gathered by the district at the time of the incident.
As a result, Stratton states that the district will continue to investigate and require further involvement by mental health experts. Stratton said the district will “take a hard look at all the actions that were taken on that day and the days following and determine if any steps were missed. Stratton further stated that the teacher will be removed from all student contact pending the outcome. No date has been determined for the teacher to return to duty,” Stratton said in the statement.
Stratton went on to say that conclusions drawn from this incident may lead to consideration of additional safeguards. Stratton concluded the statement by saying he “wanted to assure the Fox Chapel Family that we hear your concerns on this matter and that all actions will be taken to ensure the campus is safe.”
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