Freeport police and school officials said Tuesday that they are investigating allegations that a teacher at Freeport High School has been “sexting” a student.
The Freeport officials would verify only that an investigation is underway, but did not identify the teacher, his or her age, or length of tenure. Sexting is sending sexually explicit photographs or messages to another person via a cellphone.
“The Freeport Police Department has been made aware of an allegation that there was unlawful telephonic contact between a teacher and student over the past month or so,” said Freeport police Lt. Nathaniel Goodman in a statement Tuesday night. “The case is in the preliminary stage and we are not going to make any further statements about the details of an ongoing investigation at this time.”
Regional School Unit 5 officials also declined to provide details of the sexting allegations at Freeport High, which serves more than 500 students from Freeport, Durham and Pownal in grades 9-12.
In an email response to questions about the allegations, RSU 5 Superintendent Becky Foley said she is unable, as a matter of law, to discuss personnel issues such as the teacher’s identity and employment status.
“However, if there is ever an allegation of a boundary issue between an adult and students, including one of sexting, we take immediate action to investigate and to ensure the safety of students entrusted in our care,” Foley said in a statement.
Foley declined to comment further regarding the teacher’s gender and length of tenure, and whether the teacher went through the school district’s background check process.
WCSH-TV reported that the student who has been receiving the graphic images is a minor.
Assistant Superintendent Cynthia Alexander also issued a statement, saying: “We take the safety of our students very seriously and investigate all matters brought to our attention. We have policies in place and we take any situation with great seriousness.”
“We are concerned for all students all of the time,” Alexander said.
Dennis Hoey can be contacted at 791-6365 or at:
dhoey@pressherald.com
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