Two directors volunteered to step away from their jobs because the Vancouver faculty district continues its investigation into sexual allegations in opposition to a instructor they supervised.
In response to court docket data, in June 2013, a Hudson’s Bay custodian informed the college’s principal, Oman, and assistant principal, Seeley, that he interrupted English instructor Shadbreon Gatson and a 16-year-old feminine scholar partaking in sexual activity in a band room after hours. Court docket data say the custodian’s report spurred an administrative investigation and was documented in a disciplinary letter in Gatson’s personnel file, together with different accusations of misconduct with feminine college students between 2009 and 2017.
On Dec. 20, the Friday earlier than winter break, Vancouver police arrested Gatson, 43, on suspicion of first-degree sexual misconduct with a minor, stemming from incidents alleged to have occurred in 2013. In response to court docket data, a former scholar, now 27, reported to Hudson’s Bay employees and Vancouver police in early December that she was sexually victimized.
Gatson appeared on the allegation Dec. 23 in Clark County Superior Court docket, throughout which era the prosecution mentioned it anticipated combining the case with more moderen allegations in opposition to Gatson involving a scholar in 2024.
Nevertheless, prosecutors dropped the case Dec. 26 as a result of statute of limitations expiring. Gatson at the moment is just not going through any prison fees.
The Vancouver faculty board known as an emergency government session Friday. (Govt classes aren’t open to the general public or media.) The board reviewed the investigation of Gatson, Decker and Snell mentioned of their letter.
The letter states that constructing directors investigated the issues in 2013 and notified the district’s human assets group. Then extra details about the incident got here from victims in November and December, in keeping with the letter.
Gatson will stay on administrative go away because the investigation continues, and an interim principal will step into Seeley’s place at Hudson’s Bay on Monday, in keeping with the letter.
Additionally on Monday — the primary day again after winter break — Hudson’s Bay college students plan to stage a walkout as a result of they really feel the district ought to have taken motion earlier.
District officers say they’ll proceed to share info with police.
The district has contracted with a third-party investigator to look into allegations in opposition to Gatson, in addition to “review previous investigations and internal processes regarding investigations of this nature,” Decker and Snell mentioned of their letter.
In addition they mentioned additional counseling assist and security employees shall be at Hudson’s Bay on Monday.
“We are committed to listening to your concerns, and taking real and meaningful action — not just in regard to the investigation of Mr. Gatson, but also more broadly including, but not limited to, a review of any necessary improvement of our overall district protocols,” the letter states.