Fired Rockville High Administrator Passed Background Check by Law

VERNON, CT — An assistant principal fired from Rockville High School earlier this month amid allegations of past sexual transgressions in the Wolcott school system seems to have passed the background check system locally because of a literal interpretation of state law.

Joseph Monroe, who was named as an interim assistant principal at RHS in early January, was fired Feb. 2. Vernon Superintendent of Schools Joseph Macary said he was unaware of any investigation involving Monroe, despite having worked in Wolcott for a decade.

He then found out that Monroe was accused of making sexually explicit comments to employees while serving as principal of Wolcott High School. He said he then "had to let him go" at RHS.

Macary said Monroe passed the background check by answering three sexual misconduct questions literally.

Under Section 3 of the form, which is completed by the current or former employer of an applicant, there are three "to your knowledge" questions about the applicant.

The questions ask if the applicant as ever:

• Been the subject of an allegation of abuse or neglect or sexual misconduct for which there is an investigation currently pending with any current or prior employer, state agency or municipal police department or which has been substantiated?
• Been disciplined or asked to resign from employment or resigned from or otherwise separated from any employment while an allegation of abuse or neglect or sexual misconduct was pending or under investigation, or due to a substantiation of abuse or neglect or sexual misconduct?
• Had a professional or occupational license, certificate, authorization or permit suspended or revoked or ever surrendered such a license, certificate, authorization or permit while an allegation of abuse or neglect or sexual misconduct was pending or under investigation, or due to a substantiation of abuse or neglect or sexual misconduct?

All three "no" boxes were checked off, he said.

Macary suggested there is a crack in the system because, in terms of school system employees, sexual misconduct is defined on the background check form as “any verbal, nonverbal, written or electronic communication, or any other act directed toward or with a student that is designed to establish a sexual relationship with the student, including a sexual invitation, dating or soliciting a date, engaging in sexual dialog, making sexually suggestive comments, self-disclosure or physical exposure of a sexual or erotic nature and any other sexual, indecent or erotic contact with a student.” [Connecticut General Statutes § 10-222c(k)].

He maintained he followed the rules of employment after the background check came out "clean."

Photo Credit: Chris Dehnel