The Scottsdale Unified School District is issuing this statement to provide information to parents and the community regarding the arrest of a teacher at Cherokee Elementary School.

Fourth grade teacher David Renaud was taken into custody by Paradise Valley police today on campus. Mr. Renaud was hired as a teacher in the Scottsdale District in August 1998.

“The District is fully cooperating with the police in this investigation,” said Kim Cumby, executive director of Human Resource Services.“ Additionally, Mr. Renaud will be immediately placed on administrative leave, and will remain on leave pending the outcome of an investigation related to alleged incidents reported to us this morning,” Mrs. Cumby said.

In a letter sent home with students this afternoon, Principal Chris Meisinger wrote the following message to parents:

“The safety of our students and our campus is our first priority. We take many steps in following state law and district policy to ensure that safety. Whenever the administration becomes aware of concerns about an employee, we investigate the concerns, evaluate the circumstance, and take appropriate action.”

A substitute teacher was assigned to the class on Friday, and a substitute teacher will be in the classroom on Monday.

“We exercise extreme caution in such matters, which is why we are cooperating with police, and why Mr. Renaud is on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation,” Mrs. Cumby said.

Arizona law requires that a teacher be given his or her due process rights, and while the matters are under investigation, the District will reserve additional comment.
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