Thursday, March 16, 2006

COPS: SIX VICTIMS AT ROUNTREE

A hand-delivered letter from the police chief to the parents of several Rountree Elementary School children says investigators have identified "six victims" of child molestation.

The letter was delivered by police officers on Thursday to the home of some parents. The one-page letter invites parents to a Monday night meeting to discuss the molestation allegations, which became public this week when physical-education teacher Mark Washam was arrested.

Washam has not been charged with any crime; he was released from police custody following his Monday arrest.

The Monday night meeting is not open to the public, according to Rowe's letter. Curiously, not all Rountree parents received letters; it appears police have narrowed their focus to students in the fifth grade.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

I sincerely hope the voters do NOT give SPS their money in April's election. Poor timing and lack of accountability will do in the school board yet again....

Anonymous said...

It's unfortunate timing for sure. There are some decent candidates for the school board that could make a difference - and a new superintendent who isn't afraid to take a risk or two and make some meaningful changes in R-12.

His proposed quality initiative includes, as a major component, student (and parent) accountability. Imagine that! Students being held accountable for working toward their own education. This is a major part of the equation some people routinely overlook.

Anonymous said...

I was a fifth grader at the year 05-06 (last year) at Rountree Elementary School. I witnessed the sexual harassment as well as the 'good touch bad touch' film. And I know the people that were harassed. They are trustworthy people and just because they are children dosen't mean we cannot belive them. I was called down from my classroom and 'interviewed' by the police. My parents DID recieve a phone call telling them that I was being interviewed. Mark Washam was not what you would call a nice PE teacher. He would 'help' a student do a pushup and it looked kind of like he was touching her breasts and groin (this was in December). I did not think he did it on purpose at the time. Then, after Winter Vacation, a lady from some family violence center came in and showed us a tape about a good touch and a bad touch. After the tape rumors started swirling. When I got out of the audiotorium (where the tape was held) I saw 3 girls rushing to the principals office to report Washam. She didn't belive them. Soon later a girl whos name I shall not mention walked down to the principal and gave her a note telling her about Washam. Sometime after that the police were told, everyone in the Fifth Grade was interviewed and he was charged.
Peace out