WASHINGTON, CT — The Regional School District 12 superintendent and three other district leaders have been placed on paid leave while an independent investigation examines a complaint involving a 2024 text-message exchange.
The complaint said four employees made sexually inappropriate comments about a female Shepaug Valley School employee in a September 2024 text chain, according to CT Insider.
The Region 12 Board of Education voted Aug. 6 to place Superintendent Donald Schels on leave and directed the administration to place Shepaug Valley School Assistant Principal Michael Croft, Agriscience Director Tyler Cremeans and Dean of Students and Athletic Director Matthew Perachi on leave as well.
The district serves Washington, Bridgewater and Roxbury.
The board has offered few public details about the underlying complaint, saying only that it was made by a district employee and concerns communications among the four district leaders.
The board stressed that placing the employees on leave should not be interpreted as a finding against them.
"This action does not reflect any determination by the Board concerning the complaint or regarding these individuals," the board said. "Rather, the Board has taken this action to assure that an investigation of the complaint may proceed with complete independence."
CT Insider reported that the complaint was submitted in July by a Shepaug Valley School employee and said some of those involved in the text exchange were her direct supervisors at the time.
The Board of Education voted July 30 to authorize legal counsel to appoint an independent investigator. Attorney Elisa Bartlett is conducting the investigation, according to the district, which said she has been asked to complete the investigation "expeditiously."
The board said it is not yet possible to predict when the investigation will be completed.
"The Board also acknowledges the public's interest in this matter, both among employees and among community members," the statement said, adding that the district will keep the school community informed about the investigation and any related actions.
Patch reached out to district officials seeking additional information and comment but had not received a response as of publication.
Region 12 Director of Finance and Operations Nicole Grant said the leaves are not disciplinary and are "with pay and without prejudice."
Newly appointed Acting Superintendent Keri Snowden placed Croft, Cremeans and Perachi on leave Aug. 7, one day after the board acted on Schels.
The allegations remain under investigation, and the district has made no determination regarding the complaint or the employees involved.
Sign up for free local newsletters and alerts for the
Across Connecticut Patch
Patch.com is the nationwide leader in hyperlocal news.
Visit Patch.com to find your town today.