Teacher placed on admin leave after comment

SULLIVAN, Ind. (WTHI) - We are following a developing story out of Sullivan County.

That's where Northeast School corporation administrators say they've placed one teacher on administrative leave.

They've also increased security measures at North Central Junior-senior high school.
    
Corporation officials say the teacher made a controversial comment.
    
Since then officials say the teacher and the corporation has received "aggressive e-mail".
    
Doctor Mark Baker, the schools' superintendent issued this statement.    
    
“We have conveyed our disappointment and our disagreement with these statements and have emphasized her comments do not reflect our schools' views or opinions. ”
    
Based on the threat, state police and Sullivan County deputies have placed an officer at the school.

Below is the complete statement from Dr. Mark Baker, the school’s superintendent.

To Students, Parents, Faculty and our Community:

As many of you know and appreciate, our school corporation is continuing to manage as responsibly and respectfully as possible the fallout from comments made by an employee as she attended a meeting outside of school or a school activity.

We have conveyed our disappointment and our disagreement with these statements and have emphasized her comments do not reflect our schools' views or opinions.

The administration and one school employee in particular at North Central Jr/Sr High School have received aggressive email messages. We are turning over to law enforcement all such communications. Further, and as a precaution, the Indiana State Police and the Sullivan County Sheriff's Department have deemed it necessary to station an officer at our high school. Additionally, these law enforcement agencies, while they are here, are familiarizing themselves with our buildings, as is part of their regular training.

For that, we are grateful for their support of our school and our students. This matter has created some heartbreaking differences in opinion. Please know we are always going to put the safety of our students and faculty first and any disruption of our educational process will be managed quickly.

In response to our concerns for the safety and security of everyone in our buildings, we have placed the employee at the center of this concern on administrative leave.

Dr. Mark A. Baker- Superintendent
NORTHEAST SCHOOL CORPORATION of Sullivan Corporation