Investigation into Cherokee incident complete;
Governing Board schedules special meeting

The District has completed its investigation into District officials' conduct as it relates to teacher David Renaud’s conduct. The investigative findings conclude that Cherokee Principal Chris Meisinger "exercised extremely poor judgment on a consistent basis, failed to take appropriate action on multiple occasions after learning of a pattern of complaints about Mr. Renaud's conduct with children, and accordingly failed to act in the best interests of protecting the health, safety and welfare of the District's children."

With the investigation complete, the Governing Board will meet at 7 p.m., Tuesday, March 4, for discussion and consideration of the employment, dismissal, discipline, or resignation of Chris Meisinger.

Mr. Meisinger was placed on paid administrative leave on Jan. 21, 2003, after the District learned of a different incident, one in which a grandparent had told Mr. Meisinger in the 2000-2001 school year that Mr. Renaud inappropriately touched his granddaughter by massaging her back and playing with her foot. In light of Mr. Meisinger's prior statements that he was unaware of any other complaints concerning Mr. Renaud, the District placed Mr. Meisinger on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of an investigation. At a minimum, the investigation was to determine what officials knew about Mr. Renaud, when they knew it, and whether appropriate action was taken.

"In his position as principal of Cherokee Elementary School, Mr. Meisinger had a duty to take all necessary steps to safeguard and protect the best interests of our students at all times," said Kim Cumby, executive director of Human Resource Services. "Mr. Meisinger's actions or inactions, continued misjudgments, and lack of candor as demonstrated by the investigative findings, violate the responsibility that administrators have to ensure the safety of our children."

“We have many outstanding employees and are proud of the caliber of our principals and teachers. In this case, however, the totality of the circumstances as presented in the investigative findings reveal a pattern of behavior that is not acceptable for our District administrators entrusted with the care and protection of our children,” Mrs. Cumby said.
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