Frustration Brews in McLoud Over School District's 'No Comment'

Frustration and outrage are the emotions parents in McLoud say they are feeling after school officials refuse to answer questions about allegations a former teacher took pornographic pictures of young girls in her class.

Friday, December 9th 2011, 4:22 pm

By: News 9


Frustration and outrage are the emotions parents in McLoud say they are feeling after school officials refuse to answer questions about allegations a former teacher took pornographic pictures of young girls in her class.

Less than 24 hours after parents gathered at district headquarters for the McLoud School Board meeting, they are still looking for answers. The district had promised the community a statement, but the community was told nothing. On Friday, parents sounded off.

Emotions have not changed much from Thursday night when parents walked out of the meeting.

12/8/2011 Related Story: Parents Get No Answers From School Board Over Child Porn Concerns

"They need answers," said area resident Joella Hamm. "The people here need answers. I wouldn't trust my kids to go to that school now."

School officials continue to stand by the comment of "no comment." A school attorney says the Pottawatomie County District Attorney asked school officials not to say anything concerning Kimberly Crain out of 'an abundance of caution.' But, parents say that's not good enough.

"Parents deserve an answer," said concerned McLoud parent Elizabeth Morales. "Why does a teacher take children to her house," Morales asked.

Kimberly Crain is currently behind bars. She was arrested on charges of manufacturing and possessing child porn and lewd acts with a child, but she is still waiting to be formally charged. Some of the wrongdoing is suspected of happening at McLoud Elementary School.

12/7/2011 Related Story: McLoud School District To Retest Students Of Arrested Teacher

Parents say the school should have known what was allegedly happening in Crain's classroom and should have done more. When asked what parents plan to do when members of the school board are up for reelection, at least one parent, Candace Nelson, told News 9 she does not plan to be in McLoud. She says she plans to take her daughter out of the school district.

"It was inexcusable for the school not to know what was going on," said Morales. "They should have known a full 110 percent what was going on."

The entire situation gives Hamm a grim outlook on the future for children.

"Our kids aren't safe from anything anymore," said Hamm

As of Friday, the only communication parents had received on the matter was a letter sent home with students on Wednesday, more than two weeks after the allegations surfaced.

The Pottawatomie County District Attorney says Crain will not be charged until a week from Monday, December 12, and the DA's office says it will make a statement at that time.

More:

12/5/2011 Related Story: Parents Seek Answers After McLoud Teacher Arrested For Child Porn

12/1/2011 Related Story: McLoud Teacher Arrested For Child Porn Images On Phone

11/30/2011 Related Story: Parents Sue McLoud Teacher For Inappropriate Behavior

11/28/2011 Related Story: McLoud Teacher Accused Of Putting Students In Lingerie Resigns

11/22/2011 Related Story: Parents Accuse McLoud Elementary Teacher Of Putting Students In Lingerie

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