On Feb. 18, administrators at Swain County Schools received a report regarding the conduct of a classroom teacher at East Elementary. The teacher is accused of non-sexual abuse.
Superintendent Mark Sale said they notified local law enforcement and placed the employee on paid suspension pending the outcome of an investigation.
Sale said the district takes reports involving employee conduct seriously and follows established procedures to address concerns in accordance with district policy and applicable law.
Because the matter involves an ongoing investigation and personnel issues, Sale said he could not provide additional details. The district said it will continue to cooperate with law enforcement and will take appropriate action based on the investigation’s findings.
“The safety and well-being of our students remain our highest priority,” Sale said in a statement.
Sale and the Swain County Sheriff’s Office declined to release additional information, citing the ongoing investigation.