School District Responds To Cheltenham Football Charges

CHELTENHAM TOWNSHIP, PA — The Cheltenham Township School District has responded to 10 high school football team members being charged in two locker room assault incidents last year.

Four Cheltenham High School football coaches and six players have been charged in two locker room incidents where multiple players beat a sophomore player in August and September 2025, authorities said.

"Cheltenham School District's thoughts remain with the victim and their family. No student should ever experience violence or fear in a school-related setting," said Schools Superintendent Brian W. Scriven in an email to the school community. "While no legal outcome can erase the harm that was experienced, we appreciate that after nearly a year, charges have been announced and those responsible are being held accountable through the criminal justice system."

Scriven said that through the investigation, the district's guiding priority was, and remains, the safety and well-being of every student.

"Every report brought to the district’s attention was addressed based on the information available at the time," the superintendent said.

He said that as the full facts were investigated, the district decided to suspend the 2025-2026 football program and later cancel the upcoming 2026-2027 football season.

The district also separated from every member of its football coaching staff.

Four coaches—head coach Terence Tolbert, 55, of Elkins Park; associate head coach Darian “DJ” McFadden, 42, of Roslyn, Pa.; assistant coach Benjamin Johnson III, 45, of Cheltenham; and volunteer coach Ralph Burnley, 60, of Elkins Park — were each charged with Endangering the Welfare of a Child and conspiracy.

Two football players were charged: Isaiah Simpson, 18, of Cheltenham, for Conspiracy to Aggravated Assault, Simple Assault, Recklessly Endangering Another Person and related charges); and Josiah Peeler, 18, of Cheltenham, charged with false swearing.

"These decisions were not made lightly; rather, they reflected the district’s commitment to protecting the safety and well-being of students while investigations unfolded," Scriven said. Throughout this time, the district also cooperated with law enforcement and made the appropriate referrals to law enforcement and ChildLine."

He said the findings of the grand jury, statements by the Montgomery County district attorney and significant time taken to conclude the grand jury investigation reflect what the district has known for some time.

"What has made addressing this situation challenging is that individuals did not cooperate with the investigative process," the superintendent said. "Fortunately, the tools law enforcement and the grand jury has like the ability to issue search warrants and compel sworn testimony, brought information to light and allowed the district attorney to hold those responsible through the filing of criminal charges."

Scriven said that during the remaining weeks of the summer, the school district will continue to review, strengthen, and reinforce our safety protocols and operational procedures to ensure our schools are prepared to provide a safe, secure, and supportive learning environment for all students.