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Two key figures involved in allegations of sexual misconduct earlier this year at Apache Junction High School will not be working for the school district as of July 1.
The district last week chose not to renew the contracts for both employees. No specific reasons were given, although both were central figures in a recent investigation that involved a 16-year-old student who claimed to be sexually harassed by a district employee.
Lisa Pride of Queen Creek filed a police report Jan. 15 accusing Robert Jensen Jr., a security guard at the high school, of "inappropriate sexual behavior" with her daughter. Ms. Pride claimed her daughter had first anonymously reported the incident to school officials in November, and that school officials failed to take any action or suspend the security guard until January.
The accusations were backed by complaints from a second security guard, Wil McElroy, who claimed to have witnessed the incident between the security guard and Ms. Pride’s daughter.
Both security guards were put on administrative leave in January pending the outcome of an internal district investigation and neither have been back to work since. A second, separate investigation into the complaint was also conducted by the Apache Junction Police Department.
The school district last week released a statement defending its actions in investigating the complaints — saying primarily that district officials had, contrary to public perception, been interviewing witness and district personnel ever since the first complaint was received in November.
The district’s statement claimed that not being able to identify the key student in this case until Jan. 15 severely impeded the district’s ability to get to the bottom of the accusations.
"Any information which became available after Jan. 15, 2008, has been investigated," the press release states.
The release did not state what the investigation uncovered, what conclusions were reached or if any action will be taken. District officials refused to elaborate on the release or make any additional comment.
AJHS Principal Marla Zimmerman resigned Feb. 9. No reason has been given for Ms. Zimmerman’s resignation and school officials will not say if her departure is related to the situations surrounding the alleged sexual misconduct.
Mr. McElroy claims to be the "whistle-blower" and feels he should be offered his job back.
Mr. Jensen could not be reached for comment.
According to a letter written to Mr. McElroy by AJUSD Superintendent Greg Wyman, Mr. McElroy is to be on "administrative reassignment" until June 30 when his "at-will employment contract" expires.
"This is not a disciplinary action," the letter states. "During the period of your reassignment, you should be home during school hours or should keep my office informed of where you may be reached locally during school time."
Mr. McElroy, feels he is being punished for speaking out and coming forward. He thinks it’s unfair for him to suffer the same fate as the person accused of the misconduct with the student.
"It blows my mind," he said. "I am being affected the same way as him."
Mr. McElroy claims since the police investigation has been turned over to the county attorney’s office and criminal charges may be pending, he should be able to get his job back.
"I don’t know where we are going now, but I am not going to drop this," he explained. "I don’t even know what to think."
Mr. McElroy says he and his team of lawyers are considering legal action.
"Now, of course, we are going to have to affect them monetarily," he said. "It is absolutely ridiculous."
The Apache Junction Police Department has concluded its criminal investigation regarding the matter and turned over its findings to the Pinal County Attorney’s office, Chief of Police Thomas Kelly said.
The county attorney’s office will have the final say in the matter.
"There has been no decision made as of today," said Pinal County Attorney’s Office Spokesman Kostas Kalaitzidis.
