October 7, 2008
- Pasco, Washington
Chief Jo Teacher Accused of Inappropriate behavior
By Chelsea Kopta
RICHLAND -- Another teacher-student scandal in our community?
The news just broke that Chief Joseph Middle school teacher, Doug Gross, is accused of "inappropriate behavior" with sixth grade girls. It would be the third teacher this year accused of crossing the line. The state is investigating the case, but parents are fed up. Caryn Redwine's got plenty of yearbooks lying around. All three of her kids went to Chief Jo Middle School. Her son remembers Gross as a teacher. "My one that's an eighth grader has said that he remembers him saying things to girls that were kind of the "honey", "sweetie," Redwine said. "But I guess he didn't feel that was inappropriate." Her son may not have thought his actions were inappropriate, but the school district began investigating Gross in February when complaints surfaced that he made girls uncomfortable, calling them names like "sugar," "sweetie," or "honey." "I mean it doesn't bother some of them to be called honey and sweetie. It bothers me to be called that. I wouldn't want to be called that," Redwine said. "But other people may not feel that way." Police said using those words isn't a crime. Richland Police Captain Mike Cobb said words become a crime when a teacher talks to students about sex, insinuates sex or even talks with immoral purposes. "Right, if they're saying it and touching the girls, that's inappropriate for a teacher or a man to do to a young girl," Redwine said. Words aside, take a look at the number of complaints. The school district said several complaints were made against Gross: one in 2001, 2003 and 2004. He received a letter of reprimand in 2005 and all were for similar accusations: making girls uncomfortable. "if that young woman felt uncomfortable by the words that he said to her, or the way that he touched her, or the way that he looked at her, then that action should be stopped by him," Redwine said. And it's those complaints that have another local mom quote "livid" with the school district. She didn't want to go on camera, in fact she wanted to remain anonymous, but she wrote us an email. She writes "It was not just one student complaining, it was several, and all of them point to him preying on young girls," she wrote. "The school district did nothing to uphold their duty to protect our children." "I mean I think they work, they have a lot on their plate and and that's a pretty major thing they're dealing with," Redwine said. So how many complaints does it take before action is taken against a teacher? The school said each complaint is investigated on a case-by-case basis. Gross resigned soon after the allegations came out but that won't be effective until the last day of this school year. The school has placed him on paid leave until them. The Richland School District said, since Gross stepped down, it's no longer their issue. The case is now in the hands of the state superintendent. Again, that viewer emailed us her opinion. If you'd like to do the same thing just send it to newsroom@keprtv.com Or you can call us, or send a text to 539-KEPR. |
YouNews
This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled.
Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.
Resources and info you need to prepare for the switch to DTV. Stay Connected |
Connect with KEPRMost Popular
|
You
