Spring Grove, ILLINOIS

Elementary school principal found in motel with two underage girls and they weren't watching "Alvin and the Chipmunks."

April 8, 2008 - Daniel Markofski, 47, the principal of Spring Grove Elementary School, was arrested and charged with two counts of exposing a child to harmful material and one count of sexual intercourse with a child age 16 or older. Both girls were from Milwaukee.

Markofski was arrested after an officer on patrol found him partially clothed in a Glendale motel with two girls, ages 15 and 16, on Saturday. The police officer noticed the smell of pot coming from a room at the Super 8 Motel on Port Washington Road. The girls were partially nude. Police say Markofski had alcohol and marijuana.

According to a criminal complaint, Markofski admitted that he met the 16-year-old girl in an online chat room. He told authorities that he and the girl had talked on the phone several times and that he had taken her to the motel twice. The 15-year-old was a friend of the other girl. She accompanied them to the beach and then the motel room. said they talked about watching a movie. She asked to watch Alvin and the Chipmunks, but says Markofski ordered a pornographic movie instead. According to the 15-year-old, shortly after the movie started, Markofski had sexual contact with the 16-year-old and and took sexually explicit pictures of the 16-year-old with his cell phone.

He has been suspended with pay. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for April 18.
Full Name: David Scott Markofski

EMPLOYMENT He is licensed to teach in Wisconsin. According to state records, he taught at North Lake Elementary in Boulder Junction from 1994 to 1997. He was a teacher then assistant principal at Arbor Vitae-Woodruff Elementary School from 1997 to 2005. He was principal of both Blackhawk and Tower Rock elementary schools, which are in the Sauk Prairie School district, from 2005 to 2006. (From Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel)

NO SHOW April 9 - In 2005, Markofski abruptly resigned as a school principal. He just didn't show up for work. Craig Bender, the superintendent of the Sauk Prairie School District in Sauk City, Wis. said that one day Markofski just disappeared. “We couldn’t track him down.” he said.

He told the school district that he was going through a divorce and struggling with personal issues when the superintendent contacted him shortly after he stopped showing up to work. Markofski’s divorce was finalized in January 2006.

SCHOOL BOARD VOTES April 15 - – District 2 board members voted unanimously Tuesday to fire Spring Grove Principal Dan Markofski. That came despite Markofski tendering a letter of resignation to the district earlier Tuesday.“They wanted to have on public record that they chose to dismiss him,” Superintendent Dan Oest said.

The school board admitted that they did not call his previous employer and promises to to check with all previous employers.

NOT GUILTY PLEA April 18 - Markofski waived a preliminary hearing and pleaded not guilty.

TRIAL DATE SCHEDULED for August 6 in Milwaukee County Circuit Court. (Found in this story on drug testing.)

SENTENCED October 30 - Marfofski pleaded guilty in September to having sex with a child 16 or older and to two counts of exposing a child to harmful material. This week he was sentenced to one year in prison and 18 months of extended supervision. Markofski will also have to REGISTER AS A SEX OFFENDER.
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ONLINE RESOURCE: You can find teacher license revocations in the minutes of the Illinois State Teacher Certification Board. No reasons are given, however, for the disciplinary action. (You cannot assume that it was for criminal acivity as many states revoke licenses for failure to pay back funds advanced for professional training.)

Sample Of those listed in these minutes, we have entries for Church, Pappas and Williams. All three were sentenced for sexual misconduct with students.

Louisville, KENTUCKY

October 30, 2008 - A grand jury indicted Adrian Sanford, the principal of Dixie Elementary School who resigned last month, and Toneke Bullitt, the bookkeeper. The four felony charges include theft, unlawful taking, tampering with physical evidence, fraudulent use of a credit card and abuse of public trust.

The school district began investigating Sanford and Bullitt in May after receiving an anonymous tip about questionable vendor payments made by Sanford. The school investigation revealed roughly $69,000 in unsubstantiated payments from school funds.

Two of the vendors Sanford hired were his relatives,, one with a felony drug conviction, the other with felony charges pending against him in connection with a purse stolen last year from a Dixie teacher. The district says they can't prove some of the vendors did any work.

The two will be arraigned Monday.
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Sept. 12, 2008 "Adrian Sanford Resigns From Dixie Elementary"

Fairfield, CALIFORNIA

SUICIDE

September 21, 2008 - Fairfield councilman Frank Kardos died of self-inflicted injuries Saturday morning. He was 54. A jury convicted him a day before.

Kardos was scheduled to be sentenced Oct. 31 after being convicted of felony assault and misdemeanor domestic battery for a 2007 strangulation attack on his ex-girlfriend. At the trial, the councilman's ex-wife also testified to a history of violence and abuse during their marriage. He was facing up to four years in prison.

Kardos was arrested Jan. 20, 2007 for allegedly choking his ex-girlfriend, a 55-year-old Fairfield woman, the night before. He was placed on paid administrative leave from his job as assistant principal at Armijo High School in Fairfield.

He remained on the City Council but would have lost his seat and his job at the high school because he had been convicted of a felony, according to his attorney. He was the divorced father of two.

Los Angeles Times (Sept. 21) Convicted Fairfield city councilman dead in an apparent suicide

The community is still reeling from the slaying earlier this month of 22-year-old City Councilman Matt Garcia.

On Saturday, U.S. marshals and Las Vegas police arrested Henry Don Williams in Las Vegas on a murder warrant in connection with Garcia's slaying. Police said they believed Williams and another man, Gene Allen Combs, had intended to collect a drug debt.

Police said Garcia was not involved in drug activity and was visiting a young female friend in the area when he was shot. Garcia was killed on September 1. Three men have been arrested.

San Francisco, CALIFORNIA

Felony pimping and pandering charges for running a number of brothels.

August 18, 2008 - Gerald Courtney, 57, assistant principal at Galileo High School in San Francisco, was arrested on felony pimping and pandering charges. He is accused of running a number of brothels.

Police say Courtney and 41-year-old Hsiu Hwa Chou ran two brothels in San Jose and used the Internet to advertise.

San Francisco Chronicle: (August 9)

During a four-month investigation, police allegedly found Courtney responsible for leasing apartments used for the brothels and creating Internet posts seeking prostitutes and customers, San Jose police Sgt. Mike Sullivan said.

A second suspect, Milpitas resident Hsiu Hwa Chou, also was arrested in the case. Chou, 41, allegedly was the madam of the brothels, Sullivan said. Two other suspects have been arrested on misdemeanor prostitution violations.

Courtney has been put on paid administrative leave.

Great Bend, KANSAS

An awful way to end a career.

August 14, 2008 - Don Atkinson, principal at Jefferson Elementary School, pleaded guilty to six counts of theft by deception. The charges stemmed from the theft of more than $40,000 from a PTA and student council.He is scheduled to be sentenced next month

Atkinson was arrested in March. He Atkinson resigned last November after PTA leaders went to school administrators, who called authorities. He had worked in USD 428 in Great Bend for 28 years. The theft occurred over eight years.

Berne, NEW YORK

August 11, 2008 - Police arrested Mary Petrilli, 54, principal of the Berne-Knox-Westerlo High School, on weapons and menacing charges.

State Police charged Petrilli with second degree menacing and fourth degree criminal possession of a weapon following an incident Saturday night during which she allegedly threatened a woman with a knife. Petrilli was holding a 12-inch kitchen knife during the incident, described in one story as a domestic incident.

Petrilli has been on medical leave since October, but resumed her post July 1. She is now on paid leave pending the outcome of the investigation.
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Berne-Knox-Westerloo Junior/Senior High School includes grades 6-12 with 670 students. (Source: GreatSchools.net)
Be sure to read the parent comment.

Google Map (Source: GreatSchools.net)

New Iberia, LOUISIANA

July 31, 2008 - Darius Sias, 38, principal of the Alternative Center for Education, was arrested Wednesday, charged with possession of Schedule II narcotics, which authorities identified as cocaine; possession of marijuana; possession of a firearm while in possession of a controlled dangerous substance; possession of drug paraphernalia; and monetary instrument abuse (possession of counterfeit money.)

Investigators recovered marijuana, cocaine and more than $300 in counterfeit money in a search of a house where ongoing drug activity was suspected..

The Alternative Center for Education is designed for students who have special education needs or have been suspended or expelled from other schools. Sias has been the principal of Lee Street Alternative School for about three years and has been with the school system for 14 years.
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A poster at the news story at the Daily Iberian wrote:"This is NO SUPRISE to me! I am a former Westagete student where Sias was asst. principle. He would always act like one of the boys, flirt with all the girls and showed to respect for his position.This is the kind of person we send our children to school with? what a shame! "

Busy Month

Catholic school principal arrested for outdoor sex.
MOUNT VERNON, NEW YORK
July 16, 2008 - Gabriel De Jesus, 41, principal of Mount Vernon's Sacred Heart School for the Arts, was arrested, charged with public lewdness, trespassing and disorderly conduct, for having sex on July 13 with two men outside an empty house in Greenburgh. Police are still searching for a man they say fled naked from the outdoor group sex scene.

Sacred Heart School for the Arts is an Catholic elementary school.

Assistant principal charged with theft of class photo sales money
LUBBOCK, TEXAS
July 17, 2008 - Cloris A. Tiffin, 53, assistant principal at Wolffarth Elementary School, who resigned in the spring was arrested June 12 for stealing money from a locked filing cabinet on campus. In April, a surveillance camera filmed Tiffin entering a classroom where cash from candy and class photos sales were kept in a locked cabinet.An aide reported $120 missing a few hours later. Five days later, school police say a camera recorded Tiffin attempting to open that filing cabinet, but no money was taken.

Tiffin was arrested on a misdemeanor charge of theft by a public servant.

L.A. high school principal posed as girl
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
July 4, 2008 - Randolph Cornfield, 60, principal of Del Rey Continuation School, was arrested in June when investigators found images of child pornography on his home computer. Police were tipped off by man who reported meeting a 12-year-old girl in an online chat room who made "very crude, sexually graphic statements," said Deputy Dist. Atty. Marc Beaart of the district attorney's High Technology Crimes Division. Police were worried that there might be a 12-year-old out there that was being sexualized and possibly molested, and trolling for adult male partners. They found Cornfield.

Cornfield has been charged with two counts of possession of child pornography.

State auditor's investigation leads to theft charges
WASHINGTON, IOWA
July 21, 2008 - Washington Junior High School Principal Monte Davis, 43, pleaded guilty in to second-degree theft and four counts of felonious misconduct in office, all Class D felonies. He was ordered to repay $16,000 in restitution. He received concurrent five-year prison terms for each charge, both suspended, and three years of probation. Oh, and, 100 hours of community service.

Murder trial delayed
CHESAPEAKE, VIRGINIA
July 25, 2008
Arrested in February for the murder of his wife, assistant principal at Great Bridge High School Wesley Earnest, 38, is scheduled for trial on Monday. However, no pre-trial motions have been entered or heard. So the trial will not start as planned. Entry for Earnest.

Griffin, INDIANA

While we're on a roll on principals here, we get a chance to bring back one of our personal favorites. Complete with update.

Principal and wife arrested for battery. On each other, this time. Banham resigns.

Dec 30, 2006 - Michael Banham, 36, principal of Calumet High School was arrested for chasing his wife and shooting at her. He is charged with three counts of battery, three counts of criminal recklessness and one count of intimidation. A passenger in his car was charged with public intoxication.

UPDATE: Jan 2, 2007 - Banham was suspended by the Lake Ridge school system.

UPDATE: Jan 8, 2007 - The wife, Nichole Banham, is an exotic dancer at the Deja Vu strip club. "Nichole was performing under the name Mariah at a strip club in 2000 when Banham, then a Hammond High English teacher, walked into her life." The incident occurred on her 29th birthday.

He is scheduled to appear Friday to answer to felony battery, intimidation and reckless driving charges. Chicago Sun-Times wonders, "Did principal shoot at his stripper wife?"

TT - Makes you wonder how she fit in at school functions.

UPDATE Jan 9 - Banham has been ordered to stay away from the school and students. He has been suspended. Still some parents wondered why the restraining orders of his recent past did not raise red flags.

The estranged wife of Banham said last week that the principal had anxiety and anger management issues and that the two had an "extreme" history that involved drugs, double personalities, abuse, and psychiatric treatment. Banham and his attorney declined to comment on those allegations.

[School district attorney Monica J] Conrad declined to confirm rumors that Banham might be getting a buy-out from the district.

ARRESTED Feb 17- Banham and his wife were both arrested for battery. Some drug paraphernalia also was in the home, neither claimed it. Child Protective Services took custody of the child.

RESIGNED Apr 10 - Banham formally resigned as principal of Calumet High School Monday just hours before a public hearing to discuss his firing.

THE ABSOLUTE LATEST July 25, 2008 - In a story about the resignation of the third principal of Calumet High School, (they've hired five principals in seven years) the newspaper mentions that Michael Banham is serving a 10-year probation for dealing in cocaine.

He got the fabulous deal on the felony charge in April after pleading guilty to to a charge of dealing cocaine to a Gary police informant. Branham testified against Gary resident Richard Kelly in Kelly's trial last year. Kelly was one of two other defendants in the same case who faced possession and dealing drug charges. Kelly was given 18 years.

TT - Banham lost his teaching license, which in any other state would be a given, but it's Indiana. Lake Ridge School District (Griffin) is rated 3 at GreatSchools.net. And if you want the lowdown on Gary, Indiana, check this entry out. Our mistake. Thank you.

Decatur, INDIANA

Fire him or, no?
Gee, maybe we should think about this..... hmmmm

July 25, 2008 - Chris Hakes, Vice Principal at a Decatur school for the past eight years, in charge of disciplining the students, was arrested for shoplifting a jump drive at WalMart. On Wednesday, he pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor theft. He was sentenced to a year of probation, ordered to undergo counseling and stay out of every WalMart for a year.

Residents are wondering if he is a role model for the students at Bellmont Middle School.

Hakes is the second area educator this month to plead guilty to a crime. Last week, former Wayne High School Assistant Principal Kristopher Sennett pleaded guilty to two counts of child seduction, admitting to having had sex with a student this year. He will be sentenced in September. Entry

Ft. Wayne, INDIANA

"I feel so grown up. i can't believe I am only 17!."
This is just so thrilling for our steely-eyed vice principal.

Feb 27, 2008 - Kristopher Sennett, 36, assistant principal at Ft. Wayne High School, was arrested and faces two counts of child seduction. He was suspended with pay last week after admitting to police he was "having a relationship" with a 17-year old student.

The relationship came to light after the girl's parents found e-mails and a Valentine's Day card from Sennett. He previously was a teacher for several years at Indianapolis' New Beginnings Alternative High School
Full Name: Kristopher James Sennett

E-mail transcripts (PDF) released by Ft. Wayne Community Schools
TT - Parents pay taxes for this.

From Indiana News Center: According to state law, child seduction occurs when a person at least 18 years old and in a supervisory role, such as school district worker, has sex or engages in sexual acts with a child who is at least 16 but younger than 18.

RESTRAINING ORDER Feb 29 - The parent of the child filed a restraining order against Sennett. It's active for two years, unless Sennett argues to the judge it should be overturned.

FIRED March 24 - Sennett was fired after a 20-second vote by the school board. He will be in court in April.

GUILTY PLEA July 19 - Sennett pleaded guilty to two counts of child seduction, both Class D felonies. He will have to register as a sex offender under Indiana law for the next 10 years. He will be sentenced September 26.

Speaking so softly he was often told to repeat himself, Sennett admitted to having sex with the girl as well as engaging in deviate sexual conduct. Because he pleaded guilty without the benefit of a plea agreement, Sennett can appeal any sentence imposed by Surbeck.
Sennett’s pregnant wife accompanied him to court.

Arlington, WASHINGTON

It's not the first time he has been accused.

July 24, 2008 - Mark Brown, 37, principal at Highland Christian School, was arrested charged with third-degree child rape. He is accused of encouraging a 14-year-old girl to run away from home and providing a room for her at the school.

The girl told detectives Brown had sexual contact with her at the school in a room he set up with a hide-a-bed and a television, according to court documents.

Over the past three months, "the two have exchanged hundreds of text messages and phone calls. Some of these encouraged (the girl) to run away from home, and promised that the defendant would provide her a place to stay if she did," Snohomish County deputy prosecutor Mark Roe wrote in court papers.

Detectives tracked down the girl by tracing her cell phone. She initially denied sexual contact, but later allegedly told her mother that Brown had touched her sexually while she was hiding out at the high school, according to court papers. Brown was arrested July 9 for investigation of harboring a runaway.

Detectives said they found no text messages indicating the girl was suicidal or that Brown was trying to talk her out of running away or hurting herself, according to the search warrant.Since his arrest earlier this month, Brown allegedly has called the girl, despite the no-contact order, and told her not to talk about the alleged sexual contact between them, Roe wrote.
Full Name: Mark Evan Brown

PREVIOUS INVESTIGATION (July 25) Herald.net on a previous investigation:

Before Mark Evan Brown, 37, was hired to lead Highland Christian School three years ago, he was a wrestling coach at Concrete High School in Skagit County. School officials there called Child Protective Services in March 2004 after allegations surfaced that Brown "had sexual contact with several female students," said Steve Williams, a spokesman for the state Department of Social and Health Services.

His contract was not renewed. Police are opening that investigation again.

His first wife began dating him when she was 14 and he was 26. They divorced after she after she discovered numerous text messages between him and a cheerleader at Concrete High School.

KING5: (July 25) Other women have come forward, claiming Brown also had sex with them when they were teenagers.

Milwaukee, WISCONSIN

July 17, 2008 - Janet Miller, 58, a longtime educator and principal, was convicted of stealing more than $13,000 from the Maryland Avenue Montessori School, was sentenced Thursday to serve three years of probation.

Miller retired in December, in the midst of the criminal investigation and disciplinary proceedings by MPS. In May, she pleaded guilty to a felony charge of misconduct in public office

She told Milwaukee County Circuit Judge William Sosnay that she stole the money to support an addiction to gambling.

“My name is Janet Miller, and I am a compulsive gambler,” she told Sosnay.

TT - It's easier than admitting to being a thief.

Denton, NORTH CAROLINA

School principal pleads guilty to seven counts of sexual activity with a student. She was 17.

April 26, 2008 - Herman Overcash, 54, principal of South Davidson High School was arrested Thursday and charged with two counts of felony sexual activity with a student by a school administrator for a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old female student.

An investigation began after the sheriff's office received "a complaint from a third party," about the alleged incidents.

Overcash had been a teacher at Wallburg Elementary. He spent time as a physical education teacher at North Davidson Junior High, a teacher at Extended Day School, and a teacher and assistant principal at Ledford High School. He was suspended Wednesday from his position at South Davidson High School.

Full Name: Herman Keith Overcash
Arresting agency: Davidson County Sheriff's Office

GUILTY PLEA June 12 - Overcash pleaded guilty Thursday to seven counts of sexual activity with a student by an administrator. District Attorney Garry Frank says Overcash will serve six months jail time plus time already served. Overcash will also serve probation and will have to register as a sex offender. AND,

PLEA DETAILS June 13 - A fuller explanation of the plea.
- Overcash to serve an active sentence of two months for each charge, for a total of six months, with credit for time he has spent in jail since his arrest in April.
- A suspended sentence of 39 to 48 months ( three consecutive prison terms of 13 months to 16 months. )
- Five years on supervised probation after his active prison sentence.
- After his sentences are served, he will have to enroll in a sex offender program.
- Registration as a sex offender for 10 years.

Pickering, OHIO

"A serious error in judgement.."

June 9, 2008 - Pickerington Central High School Principal Scott Reeves apologized at the school board meeting for writing a letter in support of a man he describes as a friend who is charged with shooting two Columbus police officers.

The letter, written on district letterhead, said, in part,

“Derrick Foster is an honest, upstanding citizen who has been an inspiration to those around him,” Reeves said in the letter. “In no way is Derrick a threat or menace to the community, nor has he been anything but a respectful, law-abiding citizen.”

Derrick Foster faces four counts of felonious assault of a police office after police say he fired shots that wounded two officers during a drug and gambling raid April 30 on the Near East Side. Foster has admitted firing the shots.

Superintendent Karen Mantia had written a letter to Reeves reprimanding him for using district materials and employee time to write a letter based on his opinions.

"The use of district materials and time used to write a personal letter in this fashion is a serious error in judgment," Mantia told him in a letter of reprimand.

"Furthermore, by sending this letter on district letterhead, you have sent a message to some members of the community that the school district may implicitly endorse your personal opinions on the matter."

Woodbury Heights, NEW JERSEY

Middle school Vice Principal arrested for stealing students' prescription drugs.

May 9, 2008 - Philip Bevilacqua, 41, vice principal at Gateway Regional Middle School was arrested Wednesday for allegedly stealing students' prescription medications for his own use.

He was charged with theft, possession of a schedule II controlled dangerous substance without a prescription and official misconduct. He was released pending a grand jury hearing.

An investigation into missing medications began in late March. Bevilacqua was arrested after a six-week undercover investigation in cooperation with the school and local administrators and pharmacies that replaced the medicine. . Bevilacqua had been with the district five years. He was placed on administrative leave with pay.
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TT - A poster at the news story at South Jersey News Online claims to be a school employee thinks" it's a crying shame that his own Admin set him up rather than try and get him some help he needs." Another who claims to know the vice principal for 20 years was also critical of the administration.

"It doesn't make it right, but I also think that he was essentially set up by his administration. Why did they not confront him the first time? It makes me sick that all the years Phil dedicated to this school that instead of the administration immediately going to him about this, they set up a sting! "

However, another poster at the Courier-Post story was succinct:

Only in our public education system can a teacher get arrested for stealing prescription controlled drugs fom students and be given a paid "vacation". When people ask "what's wrong with our youth?" I say look at our teachers.

(Of course, that newspaper has a forum titled, "Are the Clintons pathological liars?")

Trenton, NEW JERSEY

Teacher AND principal arrested.
School officials reported that the victim injured himself during a fall.
(How many elementary schools do you know of with head football coaches? And whose brother is...)

May 10, 2008 - Ralphiel Mack, 35, a teacher (listed as a social worker) and head football coach at Jefferson Elementary School, was arrested and charged with aggravated assault and endangering the welfare of a child in connection with an April 28 incident that police only learned about nine days later.

The principal, Harriet Green- Richardson, was charged with hindering apprehension and tampering with a witness.

Police got an anonymous tip a day after the incident and sent a police officer to the school, but the principal told him that no one had called police. It wasn't until the father went to the police station on May 7 to report that Mack had "slammed" his son to the floor, causing a fracture to his left wrist that police started investigating.

When detectives returned to the school and interviewed witnesses and faculty members, they found evidence that school officials were trying to conceal the incident, and that the student was indeed assaulted by Mack, Police spokesman Sgt. Pedro Medina said. Police are continuing their investigation of the school to see if any other incidents went unreported.

Also see TCHS football coach charged with breaking kid’s wrist and principal with covering it up
Both are on administrative leave with pay "until further notice."

On Jefferson's website, Mack is listed as a social worker and public records show he made about $46,700 last school year with seven years experience as a teacher. [Their source.]

Mack's brother, Tony Mack, is a Mercer County freeholder. [see below]
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WE FOUND In addition to being a Mercer County freeholder (elected, part-time legislator) Tony Mack was a committeeman for the city of Trenton from 1992 - 1996.

At the Mercer County web site, Mack lists his occupation as Special Investigator for the New Jersey Department of Education.

Arnold, PENNSYLVANIA

Arrested in a public park.

May 11, 2008 - Kim Crummie, 51, the principal at Valley Middle School, was arrested on May 2 in Harrison Hills Park on charges of open lewdness and indecent exposure after he allegedly solicited an undercover county police officer in a men's restroom.

Pittsburg Tribune-Review (May 9):
School fires principal accused in sex case
New Kensington-Arnold School District officials told Valley Middle School Principal Kim Crummie not to report for work.

Police charged Crummie, 51, last Friday morning with indecent exposure and open lewdness when he allegedly exposed himself to an undercover Allegheny County police officer and offered to perform sex acts on the officer.

Valley News Dispatch (May 9:)
Sex charges cost principal his job

JOB HISTORY Before working at Valley Middle School, Crummie was a principal at Sto-Rox High School and Seneca Valley Middle School. Crummie was employed at Seneca Valley several years ago but left for the Sto-Rox School District. He was an administrator at Sto-Rox when he was hired by New Kensington-Arnold in 2005.
Full Name: Kim Sean Crummie

A preliminary is scheduled for June 4.

Georgetown, DELAWARE

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."

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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.

Encinitas, CALIFORNIA

April 25, 2008 - Richard Curley, 55, the principal at Pacifica Academy, was arrested Friday on suspicion of annoying/molesting a minor. He is accused of molesting a student during a study session (s).

Curley made statements to detectives confirming the student's accusation that she was molested between October 2007 and this month, according to the Sheriff's Department. He was released on $50,000 bond.

Curley founded the private school in 1997. Anyone with information on this case or any more victims should call the Sheriff's Child Abuse Unit at 858-974-2310.

San Diego Sheriff's Department Press Release (dated April 25, 2008) PDF