Note: This is a corrected version from the print edition

Districts need to respond to rumors that could be serious
Bee Editorial
In a given day, teachers and school administrators may spend more time with a child than his or her parent, and they are trusted to keep them safe.

On March 10, a male teacher admitted he broke that trust and endangered a child. Former Sacred Heart Academy teacher and coach, James Van Valkinburgh, 43, pleaded guilty to three counts of rape in the third degree, an E felony, in Supreme Court.

He had been sexually involved with someone 27 years younger than he is - a 16-year-old student. When he is sentenced on May 19, for up to four years in prison, she will go on with her life and deal with this for a much longer period of time.

When news broke of this case in January, Sacred Heart administrators took action in getting the news out. They spoke to reporters, answered questions and put parents at ease. By allowing the lines of communication to remain open, a serious situation was responded to correctly.

Unfortunately the same can't be said for similar cases, including a Niagara Falls school where parents were kept in the dark longer than they would have liked.

We understand that administrators have to follow the law and can't discuss certain situations but just the same, parents are desperate to learn what all the rumors really mean.

It is important that districts address situations in a timely manner. If a rumor is a rumor, then say so. We think the district can at least make a statement about rumors that are deemed false, to put some worries aside. Don't ignore a situation until it comes to light on Main Street in the middle of the day.

It it still not publicly known what has been going on at Williamsville South High School, but each student seems to have a different version, which is told to their parents and relayed to the community. The accusations are serious at this point, not something to which the district and School Board can turn a blind eye.

There have been South graduates on the street, openly making accusations against a teacher. Those protestors are on camera, on the record, saying there was wrongdoing. Now it's time for damage control. The district has to respond, one way or another.

It took months of rumors swirling around South Principal Elvin Simmons for anything to be said, and even when it was, we still learned nothing. He has stepped aside for "health reasons;" it's left at that. Some find it hard to believe the story ends there, especially when a court case has been filed.

Parents should demand an explanation.