Editor, Times-Union:
I am writing as a concerned father of two young children in our community. The recent news story involving the arrest of Cory J. Schutz, the former athletic director of Wawasee High School, has left me deeply troubled. It is disheartening to see incidents like these occurring in our own backyard, especially when they involve the safety and well-being of our children.
The allegations against Mr. Schutz, as detailed in the news story, shed light on a larger issue that needs immediate attention. What concerns me even more is the fact that multiple social media posts circulating from 2019 to 2021 had girls and women coming forward with statements about alleged inappropriate behavior by Schutz when they attended Wawasee High School. These victims bravely shared their stories with officials and on social media platforms, yet it appears that no significant actions were taken to address these concerns during that time.
Child safety should always be our top priority as a community. It is our duty to provide an environment where our children can grow, learn, and thrive without the fear of harm. Incidents like these not only affect the immediate victims but also send a distressing message to the entire community about the state of child protection and justice.
It is crucial that our community leaders, law enforcement agencies, and educational institutions take a proactive stance in preventing such incidents and ensuring swift and appropriate action when allegations arise. Our children deserve to be heard and protected, and we must work collectively to create an environment where they can feel safe and secure.
I implore our community to come together and address this issue with the seriousness it demands. This includes enhancing education about child safety, establishing robust reporting mechanisms, and ensuring that allegations are thoroughly investigated and addressed promptly.
I urge parents, educators, community leaders, and law enforcement officials to unite and take the necessary steps to prevent such incidents from happening in the future. Let us not wait for another incident to occur before we take meaningful action to protect our children.
Thank you for your attention to this pressing matter. I hope that through our collective efforts, we can create a safer and more secure environment for all our children.
Chris Plack
concerned father and community member
Warsaw, via email