The V.I. Dept. of Education said late Tuesday that it has launched an investigation and removed an educator from teaching virtual classes following the circulation of a photo allegedly showing the educator inappropriately dressed while teaching Central High School students.
The alleged incident occurred on Tuesday, D.O.E. said. “Our employees are held to the highest standards of decorum and professionalism, and the Department of Education will not condone behaviors that fall outside of these expectations when it comes to any of our staff, particularly our teaching professionals,” D.O.E. Commissioner Racquel Berry-Benjamin said. “Our students’ safety comes first, and we are committed to ensuring their trust is not violated while they are under our care.”
The Consortium has not seen the photo, and D.O.E. did not provide details relative to its contents. However, the department believes strongly that the photo was inappropriate and has denounced “the actions of the employee.”
D.O.E. further stated that it acted swiftly in the following ways:
- The employee has been removed from teaching while an investigation is underway
- The employee has been denied any further access to Department-owned email and video conferencing accounts that allow online interaction with students
- An investigative hearing has been scheduled for Oct. 13 with the employee, union representatives, and Department of Education officials as part of the required due process
- Appropriate further action may be taken as the investigation unfolds
VI Consortium