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Rocky River Police: No Charges Filed Against Rocky River High Staffers

Rocky River Police released the video showing two Rocky River High teachers discussing a female student inappropriately. [Gayle Putrich/ ideastream]
Rocky River High School in Rocky River, Ohio

No criminal charges will be filed against Rocky River High School staffers after two teachers were captured on video talking inappropriately about a female student.

Rocky River Police said its investigation yielded “insufficient evidence.”  

The school’s internal investigation is ongoing.

The police department released the Google Classroom video that led to six high school staff members being placed on administrative leave.

The video, which was turned in to the school, shows two teachers talking about another teacher's claims that he took a photo of a female student’s genitals. In the tape, one teacher said he blocked the colleague on his phone so as not to receive the picture. That same teacher also described the student as “not much of a student, but a nice enough girl,” and “really frigging... put together.”

 

This is the video that prompted an investigation of Rocky River High School teachers, released and redacted by Rocky River Police.

Rocky River Police said despite the video, “no evidence of photos of students or inappropriate discussions about students were contained in the text message thread among the teachers.”

Rocky River City Schools Superintendent Michael Shoaf released a video statement Thursday blasting the teachers.

“I’m disgusted, I’m shocked, and as the father of a teenage daughter in this district, I’m angry,” Shoaf said in the video. “What was stated by these staff members was not only inappropriate and unprofessional, it was offensive.”

In a statement released March 23, the school district said it would follow the board of education’s policy for internal investigations.

“This includes interviews, review of pertinent materials as well as consideration of any new facts which may come to light. During this process, the district has made the decision to place two additional staff members on administrative leave. Currently, there are six individuals on such leave,” the statement reads.

The staff members will stay on paid administrative leave until the investigation is completed.

Jenny Hamel is the host of the “Sound of Ideas.”