Madison School Board Comments on 'Disturbing' Sexual Assault Allegations

The following is a statement from the Madison Board of Education and its Chairwoman Jean Fitzgerald concerning the police investigation into allegations that a school staff member sexually assaulted a Daniel Hand High School student. Click here to read the latest on that story.

Here is the full statement from the Madison Board of Education via Fitzgerald:

“Board of Education members are aware of the disturbing allegations concerning a Daniel Hand High School teacher and, like all Madison residents, share their feelings of shock and dismay.

As a school district and individual Board members, we value the safety and well-bearing of our students above all else. Immediately upon learning of this matter, Superintendent Scarice contacted both the Madison Police Department and the Department of Children and Families and the district is actively cooperating with both agencies on their investigations.

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In addition, the teacher in question was immediately placed on leave pending the investigation of these serious allegations, and instructed to have no contact with Madison schools and students.

Given that this is a matter of personnel and the Board of Education may need to hear and adjudicate this matter, Board of Education members cannot discuss the specifics of this case lest we be prevented from serving on a hearing panel and performing our function as a board of education.

In addition, school officials must respect the confidentiality rights of our students and take care not to take any actions or make any statements that will compromise the ongoing investigations.

This unfortunate matter was met with a professional and swift response by the Superintendent and High School administration, and we are confident that we will continue to see a professional response by the school district going forward.

The Madison Public Schools are a family, and it is as a family that we will confront and address this matter - caring for our children, holding staff members accountable where appropriate, and ensuring the safety of our students.”

Jean Fitzgerald
Chair Madison Board of Education