City Opens Investigation into Stamford High School Teacher Sex Scandal

The City of Stamford has begun an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the teacher sex scandal at Stamford High School and school administrators’ lack of action with the situation.

Mayor David Martin announced the investigation Monday. “I want every parent, teacher and resident to know that my office is fully committed to doing everything we can in our power to support the safety and success of our students,” Martin said.

The investigation will be done in partnership with the Board of Education to “independently collect a sample set of facts that are not based on rumor,” Martin said.

The scandal unfolded in July with the arrest of former Stamford High English teacher Danielle Watkins, 32, of Norwalk. The mother of two has pleaded guilty to sexual assault and risk of injury to a minor and in a plea bargain agreement, will serve at least nine months in jail.

Watkins’ plea came two days after school Principal Donna Valentine and Assistant Principal Nordin Roth were granted a special form of probation following their arrests on charges they failed to report Watkins’ relationship to authorities. The administrators were accused of ignoring reports from staff who suspected Watkins was having an illicit relationship with a student.

Valentine and Roth have been on paid administrative leave since their arrests. On Monday, School Superintendent Winifred Hamilton announced that neither administrator will return to the Stamford High.

“I am disappointed and outraged by the situation that occurred. I want to address the question of whether Principal Donna Valentine and Assistant Nordin Roth will return to Stamford High School. The answer is no,” Hamilton said. She said she is exercising contractual rights as superintendent to involuntarily transfer the administrators.

Hamilton did not say what their new assignments will be. And on Dec. 12, Another assistant principal, Angela Thomas-Graves was placed on paid administrative leave, according to WFSB.

The investigation is expected to be completed by the end of February when personnel decisions will be made, officials said.

Related stories:

• Stamford HS Administrators Seek Special Probation Program
• Stamford HS Administrators Plead Not Guilty
• Stamford Teacher Is Accused of Sexual Assault of Student
• Prosecutors May Seek Plea Deal in Stamford HS Teacher Sex Assault Case
• Stamford High Administrators Receive Probation
• Stamford Teacher’s Plea Deal Offer Includes Jail Time

Photos: 1) Danielle Watkins; 2) Donna Valentine; 3) Nordin Roth.

Have a news tip? Email barbara.heins@patch.com. You can also post your own news, events and announcements on Patch by following these directions. Curious about how our new commenting platform, Disqus, works? Learn more about it here and start interacting with your neighbors on Patch.