Wednesday, December 7th 2011, 11:02 pm
Parents in McLoud are finally getting answers they have been waiting for from school officials.
It has been more than two weeks since the McLoud School District learned about accusations of misconduct against a former elementary school teacher. On Wednesday, parents received a letter of explanation from the superintendent.
The letter explains to parents the charges against Kimberly Crain, it defends the school's response, and announces more student testing that will take place to overcome any deficiencies because of the 'situation.'
Until Wednesday, parents say they had only known what they had seen on TV. A letter sent home with students Wednesday finally gives parents an idea of what happened.
"I think the school probably should have gotten on to it a little quicker," said area resident Elaine Helsley.
On Thursday, former third grade teacher Kimberly Crain was arrested on charges of manufacturing and possessing child pornography and lewd acts with a child. She is accused of taking inappropriate photos of young girls whom she taught and forcing them to Skype from class with a stranger going by the name 'Uncle G.'
12/1/2011 Related Story: McLoud Teacher Arrested For Child Porn Images On Phone
"The school should have been able to tell that there was something not quite right long before they did," said Helsey.
The superintendent would not go on camera Wednesday, and calls to the school board president were not returned.
In a letter to parents, the superintendent says school officials are, "feeling disbelief and betrayal." It announces that the board of education will read a statement at Thursday's school board meeting concerning the ongoing investigation and possible litigation.
Finally, in the letter, the superintendent says there will be additional benchmark testing for students to see if there are any educational deficiencies due to the criminal actions Crain is being accused of committing. Police believe many of the crimes happened in the classroom where parents expect their children to get an education instead of Skyping with 'Uncle G.'
"I'm surprised by it," said area resident John Knight. "It's bad for the kids. It's bad for the school district. It's bad for the city."
The superintendent tells News 9 that just this year McLoud Elementary was placed on the needs improvement list under No Child Left Behind. The school district isn't sure if Crian is the main reason for the school's downfall.
The next school board meeting will be held Thursday evening at McLoud Public Schools.
More:
12/5/2011 Parents Seek Answers After McLoud Teacher Arrested For Child Porn
12/1/2011 McLoud Teacher Arrested For Child Porn Images On Phone
11/30/2011 Parents Sue McLoud Teacher For Inappropriate Behavior
11/28/2011 McLoud Teacher Accused Of Putting Students In Lingerie Resigns
11/22/2011 Parents Accuse McLoud Elementary Teacher Of Putting Students In Lingerie
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