After Oxford Schools Superintendent Tim Throne received multiple phone calls and e-mails from parents complaining how the district communicated with them concerning the recent alleged indecent exposure incident at Oxford Elementary School, he wants parents to know ‘student safety is their number one priority.?
Oxford Village Police received a call Oct. 9 from Daniel Axford Elementary (DA) school officials reporting that a DJ, who was hired to work the Fund Run, allegedly exposed himself to a student during the event, which was held at Oxford Elementary School (OES).
‘There was no immediate danger to the children and no further inappropriate behavior was reported,? stated Chief Mike Neymanowski in a press release that was issued Oct. 15. ‘The Oxford Police Department is fully investigating this incident. Arrest charges are pending at this time.?
Timeline
Throne said he was made aware of the situation after the fact on Friday.
‘I got a call while I was at the football game Friday night,? he said. ‘At that point, a police report was made with the Oxford Village Police. The (officer investigating the case) requested that we not say anything at that point.?
After that, the district contacted village police on Monday, but were again told not to say anything. Finally on Wednesday, Oct. 14, Throne said they got the ‘OK? to release a statement to parents informing them about what had allegedly occurred.
The first statement was released at 4:43 p.m., via e-mail to parents of DA and OES students. It stated:, ‘Oxford Administration has been made aware of an alleged incident that occurred Friday during the Fund Run. An investigation is currently underway.?
It was at that point angry parents took to social media to express their displeasure in the communication they had received from the district. Following that night’s board meeting, Throne said had received a call from a television news organization seeking information about the alleged incident. It was at that time, Throne sent out another e-mail to DA and OES Parents that night emphasizing the importance of child safety to the district.
‘Please know that Oxford Community Schools places an exceedingly high standard on the safety and well-being of our students,? wrote Throne. ‘Therefore, we felt it was important to inform parents of an alleged incident at last Friday’s Fund Run, just in case any of you are contacted about the investigation.?
Throne noted the alleged incident was isolated and involved a non-staff member.
‘We were not given permission to release any information regarding the allegation until (Oct. 14),? he said. ‘In addition, due to the ongoing investigation of the alleged incident last Friday, the district is limited in what information can be released at this time.?
On Thursday, Throne said they were given permission to release Neymanowksi’s statement to the parents, which they sent via e-mail.
Response to public
As for the question, ‘Why they didn’t give all information they had at that time?? Throne said it was because they were ‘instructed not to? by police.
‘I realize that the school has the authority to put out that information, but in trying to work in conjunction with our local police department when it comes to safety in certain matters, I have to trust their lead or I want to trust their lead,? he added. ‘We wanted to keep giving more and more information to our parents when it was appropriate. What we didn’t want to happen was for another parent or a student to be contacted about this investigation and then come back to us questioning ‘Well, doesn’t the school know about this? And if so, why weren’t we notified???
Throne said that is why the district sent out what information it could, so that parents were aware that the school was on top of the situation and that it was being handled.
‘If we put out a statement and it’s not as detailed as what parents would like, I get that,? he said. ‘But it’s probably for a good reason why we’re doing that.”
Following the district’s release of the Neymanowski’s statement, Throne said he received an e-mail with a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request from a parent asking for ‘any and all information regarding this incident.?
‘If our community feels like they have to FOIA to get more information on an incident, then we still have a long ways to go (when it comes to) trust between the community and this district and to that I am saddened,? he said. ‘I am sad that’s the way people feel and feel, for whatever reason, (like) we’re not providing any and all information. We are. We just chose in this incident to let the local police officials take the lead in that communication. We don’t want to hinder an investigation, so our students are at-risk later on, so why wouldn’t I promote that investigation and do anything I can to help (keep that safety).?
As for incident, Neymanowski reiterated his department is conducting a full investigation into the matter, which will include interviewing the suspect and bringing in professionals to interview the student. Police are hoping to have the case wrapped up as soon as possible.