Bolt received a complaint from a parent in the spring that a teacher’s aide at the school, LaShawn Hill, had inappropriate contact with a student.
Bolt investigated the complaint - interviewing the parent, the student, and the aide - but ultimately decided there was not enough information to pursue disciplinary action against Hill.
However, Johnson said, district procedures and state law require school employees to report such complaints to the state Department of Children and Families, which is charged with investigating the validity of complaints. In light of the lapse, Johnson said she will gather principals Monday to review protocols. The principals then will do the same with their staff.
“We want to make sure every adult who works in the school community knows all the protocols and follows them,’’ Johnson said. “We want to make sure every person we employ cares about children and protects their safety.’’
Johnson said Bolt has been “deeply troubled and concerned’’ that Hill, who transferred to the Harbor Pilot Middle School in the midst of a districtwide restructuring of special education programs, now stands accused of having inappropriate contact with a student there on Monday.
“This has been a tremendously difficult and emotional situation for her,’’ Johnson said. “She sees herself as a dedicated person who places a high value on creating a safe environment for students.’’
Bolt, who is expected to resume her duties at the King after her suspension ends, told Johnson about the prior incident Monday, after Johnson called to inform her of the recent complaint against Hill.
Johnson declined to release a copy of the review, out of concern, she said, that releasing all the information could jeoparidize a police investigation.
Mary Tamer, a Boston School Committee member, said that Johnson’s discipline of the principal did not go nearly far enough, given that a state law was broken and another child was harmed.
