Some new details are coming to light about Indian River School District’s decision to place multiple staff members from Sussex Central High School on administrative leave last week.
The Delaware State Police are conducting a criminal investigation into the situation.
“We have received numerous inquiries regarding an investigation at Sussex Central High School,” said Leonard DeMalto, public information officer for the Delaware State Police. “From the beginning, we have been working with the Department of Justice and Indian River School District, who proactively contacted the Delaware State Police about the incident that occurred at their school.”
RELATED: Indian River employees placed on admin leave, reason unclear
After consultation and review with the Department of Justice, DeMalto said, the state police decided to launch a criminal investigation.
“While it is essential to keep our communities informed, it is equally vital for DSP to ensure the integrity of the investigation,” he said. “Providing a safe school environment is of the utmost importance to both DSP and the Indian River School District. We will provide meaningful updates when available.”
In a statement, the district said the situation is routine.
“It is a regular practice of the Indian River School District to place employees on paid leave in many circumstances, including when there is an allegation, investigation, complaint, threat against the employee, or other instance warranting paid leave,” it said.
“When an employee is placed on paid leave, this should never be construed as expressing or implying that an employee will face employment action or that an employee may have engaged in any wrongful conduct of any severity.”
The statement said Indian River will not provide further comment on the investigation.
Raised in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, Jarek earned a B.A. in journalism and a B.A. in political science from Temple University in 2021. After running CNN’s Michael Smerconish’s YouTube channel, Jarek became a reporter for the Bucks County Herald before joining Delaware LIVE News.
Jarek can be reached by email at [email protected] or by phone at (215) 450-9982. Follow him on Twitter @jarekrutz
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