On Monday, September 30, 2019 the Southwest Parke Community School Corporation was informed of an inappropriate relationship between a former teacher and a student. Southwest Parke immediately notified the Indiana Department of Child Services, placed the former teacher on leave, and commenced its investigation. Upon learning additional information through the course of its investigation, Southwest Parke terminated the employment of a teaching assistant who failed to report the relationship, and Southwest Parke also started the dismissal process—which is set by Indiana law—for the former teacher. Southwest Parke further notified the parents. The teacher resigned on Wednesday, October 2, 2019.
Southwest Parke takes seriously its obligation to ensure the safety and security of its students. Accordingly, Southwest Parke takes allegations of misconduct extremely seriously and will move quickly to investigate them. Southwest Parke has cooperated fully with the law enforcement investigation and will continue to do so in this matter.