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Staff ‘concern’ spurs probe in Silver Creek

OBSERVER photo Silver Creek Central Schools

SILVER CREEK — A letter from a staff member to the district Board of Education “with several concerning allegations” has led to an investigation, according to a Silver Creek Central School Facebook post.

In the post, the district said concerns were raised on social media pertaining to the elementary school. “The district’s most important priority is the safety and security of all district students and staff,” the post said. “We take any concerns and allegations regarding student safety and their wellbeing as the top priority.”

The letter to the board was apparently dated March 29 and has since spurred the district to have an investigation into “the allegations set forth in the letter.

“Rest assured, that the district and Board of Education are engaging in a comprehensive and thorough investigation into this matter expeditiously.

“We will continue to inform the community with appropriate updates when the district is able to,” the post noted.

In a phone interview Wednesday, Superintendent Todd Crandall echoed the Facebook post saying the district is “committed to being transparent, thorough.” He is hoping the investigation will be completed before the weekend and plans to share the results and update the community “as appropriate.”

“At this point, a staff member had shared a concern with the board (Tuesday),” Crandall said. “The Board of Education and I put student and staff safety paramount. The board immediately engaged a third party to begin an investigation into the concerns raised in the letter.”

Earlier this month, the district announced the reappointment of Delia Bonenberger as interim elementary principal. Past Principal Sterling Stearns was noted as “unavailable and not in the district until further notice.”

According to Board of Education minutes posted online, the district went into executive session during its March 10 meeting for the “purpose of discussing the employment of a particular person” at 6 p.m. Public session resumed at 7:37 p.m. Stearns’ departure was announced March 11.

Bonenberger served as the district’s interim middle school principal and interim superintendent during the 2015-16 school year and additionally, she served as interim elementary principal in the past.

Anthony Dolce contributed to this article.

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