Lawrence parents call for investigation into school district following abuse allegations
LAWRENCE, Kan. (KCTV) - Lawrence Public Schools is reviewing certain aspects of its safety plan after claims that a former employee sexualy assaulted students at an elementary school.
Mark E. Gridley, 60, is charged with one count of aggravated indecent liberties with a child under the age of 14. He is also charged with one count of kidnapping.
Gridley could face additional charges in the future. Lawrence Police believe detectives found evidence that Gridley sexually abused a total of eight students at Prairie Park Elementary School over two days in February.
The school district said it is in the process of reviewing all school buildings and safety protocols following the accusations surrounding Gridley.
“To double and triple check that every single area of our building have visual sight from a hallway or from an area where people are moving and that there are no areas where an adult and a child would ever be alone in a private area together,” Dr. Jeanice Swift, Lawrence Public Schools Superintendent, said during the March 10 school board meeting.
Swift said the district took immediate action after learning of the allegations. Gridley was fired over the weekend following his arrest.
A parent who said she spoke for others at the board meeting said she appreciated the district, but believes more needs to be done to make sure students are safe.
Cynthia Courtney asked for the district to expand its response.
“We call on the district to hire an external expert crisis team to avoid conflicts of interest, conduct a thorough audit and assessment of the systems that allowed this to occur, better advise the district at communicating, and rebuilding trust with the community,” Courtney said.
The district hasn’t commented on the suggestions, but the superintendent did say the district plans to create an online resource for families. The information will be available on the Lawrence Public Schools website.
Courtney said the information is great, but there is so much available it is overwhelming.
District leaders said there is a team of crisis counselors available for all students. Parents can email their principal or a board member to connect with a counselor.
“Student safety is embedded in literally every step that we take. We do it with every endeavor that we take in the district. It will always remain our top priority,” Dr. Jeanice Swift, said.
Gridley is scheduled to be in court again on March 26 for a status conference.
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