Community Support Appreciated During Trying Time

It seems appropriate to use the Poore Page to discuss an issue we have been dealing with as a community over the past week.

The accusations against a former Adventure Club (afterschool program) employee have been difficult for all of us to digest. Whether you are a parent, a staff person or a person who knew the alleged perpetrator, this has caused us all to think and reflect.

I believe we can agree there is no more precious thing entrusted to us than our young people. Bentonville Public Schools takes this responsibility very seriously.

We do extensive background checks, conduct in-depth interviews and do multiple reference checks on each employee that we hire. We work to meet expectations that state and federal agencies have regarding student safety and are never afraid to exceed those expectations.

One of the things I have heard as a criticism is that we should be conducting an internal investigation right now. I hope this column will help patrons understand the worst thing we could do right now is conduct our own investigation.

This is a police matter.

From the very first time we heard about the allegations we have asked parents to go directly to the police with any information. We have taken this approach because we do not want to interfere with this important investigation nor do we want the public to feel that we are trying to cover anything up.

What we have done and are continually doing is working closely with the Bentonville Police Department. We are also working closely with the Children's Advocacy Center. Both organizations have different purposes and both are needed when concerns about conduct toward children are in question.

Tonight, Bentonville Public Schools, the Bentonville Police Department and the Children's Advocacy Center will co-host a parent forum to support parents who seek assistance on how to handle discussing sensitive issues with their children. The forum will be held at Bentonville High School in the North Campus Large Lecture Hall. This event will begin at 7 p.m.

Finally, we pledge a thorough review at the conclusion of the police investigation.

The review will include our staff, the Bentonville Police Department, the Children's Advocacy Center and other outside parties that specialize in helping school districts review policy and practice.

Bottom line, I want to thank the community for their support -- especially for the support going to the victims' families.

I also want to thank this community for the support you have provided to our staff.