Scottsdale Unified School District No Dream Too Big . . . No Challenge Too Great Education Center 3811 North 44th Street Phoenix, Arizona 85018 Telephone: 480-484-6100 FAX: 480-484-6286 Web site: www.susd.org For Release:   January 14, 2003 Contact: Carol Hughes, 480-484-6188 NEWS and INFORMATION On Friday, Jan. 10, 2003, the District issued a statement to provide information to parents and the community regarding the arrest of a teacher at Cherokee Elementary School. Tonight we are issuing another statement to let parents and the community know additional steps taken by the District and the school to meets the needs of our students. This matter is under both a criminal investigation by police and an internal investigation by the District. While this matter is under investigation, and in order not to impede that investigation, we are not able to comment on the investigation except to say: Fourth grade teacher David Renaud was taken into custody by Paradise Valley police Friday, Jan. 10, on campus. Mr. Renaud was hired as a teacher in the Scottsdale District in August 1998. The first time the District became aware of these concerns involving David Renaud was on Friday, Jan. 10, when the District was contacted by the principal. This was immediately after the principal received information from a parent. In such matters, we notify police and the principal was about to do this Friday morning, when police phoned him. Since then, we have been fully cooperating with the police in their investigation. The teacher was placed on paid administrative leave, pending the outcome of an investigation related to alleged incidents reported Friday morning. All employees of the District undergo a fingerprint clearance. Also, a criminal background check is done on all employees of the District, not just teachers. These two steps were done, and there were no red flags. As part of the District’s investigation, found in the school file on this teacher, was a single incident involving a letter written to a student by the teacher. Also in the teacher’s school file was a Memo of Directive from the principal, indicating that the tone of the letter to the student was “overly-familiar.” Steps taken by the school and the District since Friday include the following: Letters were sent home with Cherokee students on Friday by Principal Chris Meisinger. Letters also were sent home with students involved in a soccer program at Cocopah Middle School, where Mr. Renaud was a soccer coach. District counselors and psychologists, along with counselors from Scottsdale Prevention Institute were available on campus beginning Monday of this week to address concerns of students, parents, and staff. Separately, the principal individually met with classes. Separately, the principal contacted parents, by phone and in person during a special meeting held Saturday afternoon. District counselors and the school psychologist also were available at Cocopah Middle School, where previous students of this teacher are currently enrolled. The District is looking into the possibility of using additional experts and counselors in the weeks ahead. “In this extremely regrettable situation, the District is doing everything it can to address the needs of the students and parents, while at the same time conducting an investigation, and cooperating with the police,” said Kim Cumby, executive director of Human Resource Services. “We have been repeatedly asked: ‘How could this have happened?’ We don’t have all the answers today, and are continuing to review the files and the circumstances surrounding this incident.” #