An email sent from Jack Hulland Elementary School’s principal to families contains allegations of “inappropriate behaviour towards students by an employee working at our school.”
The News obtained the email on June 6.
The email, sent from principal Jeff Hills to families just after 4 p.m. on June 6, indicates he was made aware of the allegations in May.
“The employee was immediately removed from working at the school,” reads the email.
The email indicates the RCMP are involved.
“We gathered more information about the allegations, followed the processes established by the Safer Schools Action Plan, which informed the decision to involve the RCMP. We are cooperating with their efforts,” Hill's email reads.
“To date, the Department of Education has not received any information from the RCMP to indicate there are ongoing public, school community, or student safety concerns with respect to the employee.”
As of publication, police haven’t responded to the News’ inquiries late on June 6 to confirm if they are investigating.
The email goes on to note that this information may be “difficult” for families to learn about.
Additional details aren’t provided to protect the privacy of staff and students, per the email.
The email stresses the importance of avoiding speculation or making assumptions.
“What we can say is that we take our obligation to protect students from harm at school very seriously,” Hills wrote.
The email offers links to supports, including for victim services, and information about protecting students from harm by adults and “how we respond when a student tells us about abuse or harm.”
Hills acknowledges that learning of the allegations may prompt families to question the safety of the school and the education system.
“This is understandable,” he wrote.
“At this time, it’s important to remember that the processes and policies we’ve put in place to keep your children safe at school were followed and are working.”
The Education department did not respond to the News’ request for comment by publication.
Editor's note: An earlier version of this story misidentified the principal who sent the email. Jeff Cressman was the previous principal. Jeff Hills is the current principal. The News regrets the error.
Contact Dana Hatherly at dana.hatherly@yukon-news.com
