Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
BOURBON - Approximately 35 concerned patrons attended Monday's meeting of the Triton School Board.
By a show of hands, most were there to voice concern regarding several reported incidents involving Triton High School Principal Richard Dehne and a female 18-year-old former student at Triton.
Roy Burbrink, legal counsel for Triton School Corp., addressed the crowd. He said he had advised the board to seek independent legal counsel, but would not, at this time, release the name of the attorney he had recommended.
Burbrink said an investigation has begun to sort out the facts of the case, but the policy of the school board is to maintain confidentiality in regards to personnel matters.
He urged patrons to contact him privately, rather than publicly, and have their names put on a list to be contacted by the investigating attorney and take part in the investigation. He said those on the list will be contacted within 48 hours. Eight people signed that list at Monday's meeting.
Jami McIntyre read a letter she had written to address the board. According to McIntyre, there have been three incidents of concern with Dehne's behavior reported in the last year and a half.
The first was after the May 2002 Triton High School junior-senior prom. Patrons allegedly contacted superintendent Ted Chittum and school board members concerning what they saw as inappropriate slow dancing with a high school female student.
The second instance was during February and March 2003, when parents contacted Chittum with more concerns over Dehne's behavior with the same student.
Allegedly, Dehne and the girl exited a room where they had been alone together several hours after a school event had ended. The third incident, the one that sparked the interest in Monday's meeting, occurred Sept. 26.
According to police records, a conservation officer stopped Dehne after he was parked on a rural Marshall County road with the same girl. According to McIntyre, the girl is no longer a student at Triton High School.
McIntyre asked, "What do you as superintendent and school board members feel about these facts and what are your responsibilities to we taxpayers, parents and students of this corporation, who believe that this behavior is immoral and will not be tolerated? Was Mr. Dehne reprimanded after any of these incidents?"
The board did not offer any direct answers to these questions. Board president Kevin Boyer reminded those in attendance that the board's policy is to keep information regarding personnel confidential until the facts are sorted out. He also said he was aware of the frustration this policy causes for patrons and asked them to trust the board.
McIntyre said, "We feel that as taxpayers and parents this is not the kind of leadership we want. Poor judgment of this type cannot be tolerated. We pay our administrators high wages and we expect high standards from them."
Others in attendance voiced a desire to have Dehne suspended until the investigation has been finished. McIntyre said, "This last incident took place about a week ago and where have our kids been all week? In the presence of this person."
"If we felt there was any danger, do you think we wouldn't do anything?" said board member Steve Feldman.
Burbrink said he had expected the investigation to take approximately 10 days to produce a report, but, having received more than the expected number of those wishing to be contacted by the investigating attorney, he expects it may take longer. He said the report likely will not be released at the board's next meeting.
The board also approved a collective bargaining contract with the Triton Teachers Association for August 2003 through August 2004. The contract includes new retirement and severance benefits and a 20-year salary schedule.
