School Superintendent Stephen Tracy released a statement Friday afternoon regarding an allegation made against a staff member at Derby Middle School.
Derby police officers were sent to the middle school on Thursday morning after receiving a narcotics complaint. No one was charged with a crime.
“It was a complaint that a staff member was in possession of narcotics on school property,” Police Chief Gerald Narowski told the Valley Indy Thursday.
Click here to read our story from Thursday.
Police and school officials have not released the staff member’s name. The Valley Indy has the name but has opted not to publish it at this time.
A source told the Valley Independent Sentinel Friday that the situation came about after an administrator at the middle school found pain killers inside a bag belonging to a staff member.
The pills were not in their proper container, which caused the administrator to notify police and the school superintendent.
The staffer has been put on paid leave pending the results of an investigation, Tracy said Friday.
There are two investigations happening. The school investigation includes the school board’s attorney and school officials.
The police department was also investigating, as of Thursday morning.
“At this time, I have no reason to believe that any students or other staff members were involved in or affected by this situation,” Tracy said.
The following statement was sent to Derby staff members and parents Friday through the district’s CONNECT-ED phone notification system:
“This is Derby School Superintendent Steve Tracy. I’m calling, regretfully, to notify you that serious allegations were made yesterday regarding a member of the staff at Derby Middle School.
To ensure the well-being of our students and staff, the individual involved was immediately placed on leave while the allegations are investigated.
At this time, I have no reason to believe that any students or other staff members were involved in or affected by this situation.
The Board of Education, Principal Sally Bonina and I are committed to a full and fair investigation of this matter.
Whatever actions are called for by the results of that inquiry will be taken.
I ask you to understand that, in fairness to all concerned, I am unable to discuss this matter in any further detail at this time.”
Thomas Hennick, a spokesman for the Freedom of Information Commission, said that under the state’s Freedom of Information Act, police are required to disclose information connected to an ongoing investigation.
It’s not as simple with school districts. The district could release information about the investigation if the investigation is a matter of public concern.
However, the phrase “public concern” is up for interpretation.