Two elementary school principals were arrested in Wichita Falls after allegations that they failed to report sexual abuse.
Kory Fancher Dorman, the principal of Crockett Elementary School, was charged last week. Cindy Underwood, the principal of Kate Haynes School was arrested this week.
According to an arrest warrant, Dorman was notified by three grandparents that their 7-year-old grandson was sexually assaulted by a fellow first-grade student in the bathroom at Crockett elementary on December 15.
An arrest warrant against Underwood said that on October 25 a teacher reported finding photographs on a student assigned iPad of three male students, all age 6, engaging in sexual acts in a classroom. Underwood told police she decided to contact the parents of the students involved but not to file a report with CPS or law enforcement.
Dorman and Underwood were both charged with a Class A misdemeanor. Both were able to post bond to get out of jail.
Wichita Falls Independent School District Superintendent Michael Kuhrt released a statement Monday night:
The safety and security of the students in Wichita Falls ISD are our top priorities. The staff and administrators in WFISD entered into the education field because of their love for children and their desire to do what’s right by them. They have dedicated their lives to the profession and work tirelessly to ensure that students are taken care of, not only at school, but at home as well. Every day our staff is asked to make judgment calls based on the information they receive, and each school year there are numerous CPS reports made by teachers and administrators in the name of student safety and security. Documentation from Child Protective Services states, ‘while it would be ideal to have a clear-cut guide that would determine whether any given situation constitutes abuse or neglect, there are many factors that determine whether a situation warrants an investigation.’ While I won’t comment on whether or not the right judgment call was made, I do know the character of both administrators in question, and I am confident that neither of these administrators would deliberately hurt a child.
In light of these recent allegations, please know that WFISD will be reviewing its protocol and training for reporting suspected abuse. However, please know that I continue to have the utmost confidence in our district staff and administrators, and I hope that you will continue to have confidence in us as well. The district will continue its internal investigation and will cooperate with Wichita Falls PD as they continue to investigate the allegations. Please work with us as we continue do what’s best for children both at school and at home.
(Information from texomashomepage.com)
