May 2, 2008 -
Dana Goodman, 38, principal of Sussex Central High School, was arrested and formally charged with endangering the welfare of a child, 30 counts of rape 4th and continual sexual abuse of a child — all charges are felonies.
An investigation revealed Goodman and the 17-year-old female student met at various location in Sussex and Kent counties. The school was tipped off by an anonymous letter and they contacted police.
Goodman was arraigned and committed to the Sussex Correctional Institute in lieu of $331,000.00 cash only bail. Armstrong used to teach in the Indian River School District . He had previously served as principal at North Dorchester Middle School in Dorchester County and as assistant principal at St. Michael's Middle School and High School in Talbot County in Maryland.
May 5 - WMDT 47:
Police say the sex was consensual and had been going on for months. Ashley Vanvorst, a former student, says it wasn't a secret among students.--------------------------
Vanvorst says, "A lot of them said they knew about it, but they just kept their mouths shut."Police say Goodman was communicating with the student through text messages. Vanvorst says other students have received messages from him too. She says it's all inappropriate.
Vanvorst says, "It makes me ashamed to say I graduated from here and in talking with students that still go here, they're ashamed and glad they won't have to shake his hand at graduation."
TT - We don't use "rape" -- as one glaring news story alleged -- when the relationship is voluntary. Nor do we call sex with underage children as "consensual" as minors are legally unable to consent to sex with an adult.
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May 10 - The school District on Friday announced it will begin the search for a new principal for Sussex Central High School. Goodman's attorney said Goodman had the support of his wife, parents and church community. Goodman began working for the district in 2006.
School officials received an anonymous letter May 2 and immediately called in police to investigate. Goodman was arrested that afternoon.
