KOKOMO, Ind. — The Taylor Community School Corporation will hold public meetings Friday for parents following the termination of a second school employee in the past week.
Superintendent Steve Dishon tells WRTV that a 14-year employee and coach was terminated on September 27 for “violation of workplace rules and board policy.”
Dishon said a criminal investigation is not involved in that case.
PREVIOUS | Superintendent: Taylor Community Schools fired employee amid allegations (wrtv.com)
As WRTV reported, Taylor Community Schools fired another employee, a basketball coach, on September 26 which did involve a criminal investigation.
According to the Howard County Sheriff's Office, 49-year-old Randy Sullivan sent multiple inappropriate texts to one of his basketball players, who is a student at Taylor High School.
HCSO says the photos and videos were sent from Sullivan’s residence from his personal phone number. Investigators spoke with the victim, who confirmed they had been groomed by Sullivan.
Sullivan refused to speak to investigators, the HSCO said. Police say they located a handwritten note in Sullivan’s vehicle that contained apologies to his friends, family and the victim.
PREVIOUS | Superintendent: Taylor Community Schools fired employee amid allegations (wrtv.com)
Sullivan turned himself into the Howard County Jail where he remains on a $50,000 cash bond. He faces the following charges:
- Child solicitation
- Sexual battery
- Dissemination of matter harmful to minors
In a voicemail sent to parents last week, Superintendent Steve Dishon called the accusations “deeply disturbing.”
“As the situation developed and facts were uncovered, Taylor Community School Corporation terminated the employee and trespassed him from any Taylor property or event in which Taylor students participate,” said Dishon in the voicemail. “From the moment the accusation was made, he has had no access to our students. We are cooperating fully with the police investigation as the safety and security of our students is always our priority.”
The Taylor Community School Corporation will hold public meetings Friday at 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. for parents following the incident.
“I will be set up in the board room to meet with any parent who would like to learn about what we have planned to ensure the safety of our students,” read a Facebook post from the district. “I will explain the educational components as well as the safety protocols we are putting in place. I want to reassure everyone that we are addressing all areas in which we can improve our existing safety guidelines and policies.
Anyone with further information on this case is asked to contact Detective Waymire at 765-614-3463.
“I will be set up in the board room to meet with any parent who would like to learn about what we have planned to ensure the safety of our students,” read a Facebook post from the district. “I will explain the educational components as well as the safety protocols we are putting in place. I want to reassure everyone that we are addressing all areas in which we can improve our existing safety guidelines and policies.”
Parents are encouraged to bring suggestions and ideas.
“This is not a lecture or presentation as I would like to meet with all of you who come and speak personally to everyone,” read the Facebook post. “When you leave, I want you to feel confident about what we are doing and know that you can come to me at any time with concerns. Come any time during the hour and stay as long as you like. Enter Door 1 on Center Road.”