Three school administrators in Texas have been indicted for neglecting their legal obligation to report child abuse. This alarming situation has sparked outrage among parents, who feel the school is prioritizing the employees’ interests over the safety of students.
As reported by The Victoria Advocate, the principal, assistant principal, and head baseball coach at Hallettsville High School are embroiled in serious allegations surrounding the abuse of a student by peers. The indicted individuals include Calvin Cook, the head baseball coach, Scott Cottenoir, the assistant principal and head basketball coach, and Darrin Bickham, the principal. These charges highlight a critical failure in the duty of educators to ensure the safety of their students.
Parents have been voicing their concerns for weeks, with one parent, Jessica Coleman, noting that the school deleted all comments from their announcement regarding the arrests. She shared a screenshot of her comment questioning the district’s stance of defending the administrators before the investigation is complete.
In a post from the superintendent, Dr. Jo Ann Bludau, the district expressed awareness of the arrests, stating they are cooperating with law enforcement. However, she also indicated that, based on the current understanding of the situation, they do not believe the charges hold any merit. This has led to further frustration among parents who feel the school is dismissing the severity of the allegations.
The indictments relate to an incident that occurred in early March in Medina County, where a baseball player from Hallettsville High School reportedly suffered sexual abuse at an away tournament. Rachael Harding, a concerned parent, emphasized that it is imperative for educators to report any suspicions of child endangerment. “Teachers have a responsibility to report any abuse,” she stated. “What are we telling our kids when the school district believes teachers didn’t do anything wrong?”
Adding to the distress, another parent, Joslyn Williams, reported seeing the indicted employees still present on campus, prompting her to call for their immediate removal. “They need to take leave. They do not need to be around our children. We need to protect our children first,” she asserted. Williams is actively rallying support from other parents, fearful that the administrators may have concealed the abuse and allowed a child to suffer in silence.
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In summary, the arrests of the Hallettsville High School administrators for failing to report abuse have ignited significant concern among parents, who are questioning the school’s commitment to student safety. Parents are advocating for transparency and accountability, emphasizing the need for educators to uphold their responsibilities in protecting children.