MONTE VISTA – The Sargent School District notified parents and guardians Monday morning, Oct. 7, that it terminated a teacher after a claim of sexual harassment was substantiated by the district. 

An email was sent to parents and guardians of Sargent students by the district from Sargent Superintendent Andrea Davis. 

“As part of our district's commitment to maintaining a safe and supportive environment for all students, I am writing to inform you about a recent development at our middle school. 

“After a thorough investigation, a claim of sexual harassment made by a student against one of our teachers has been substantiated. The teacher involved has been terminated from their position, effective immediately. Our priority is always the safety and well-being of our students, and we take any allegations of misconduct seriously. 

“We understand this news is concerning, and want to assure you that we have taken all necessary steps to address the situation. Our district is committed to providing a safe learning environment, and we will continue to work diligently to uphold this standard. 
Thank you for your continued support and trust in our school community. Open communication between parents, students, and the district is encouraged. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to me directly or contact our school administration office.” 

A parent of a Sargent student received the following email from Superintendent Davis when they asked for the name of the teacher. 

“Thank you for reaching out regarding the recent incident at our school. I deeply appreciate your concern and understand your desire for more information. While I wish I could provide you with all the details you seek, I must respectfully decline to disclose the identity of the former staff member involved. This isn't a decision we take lightly, but it is one that's guided by several important factors. We are bound by strict privacy laws and employment regulations that prohibit us from sharing personal information about current or former employees. We have a duty to protect the privacy of all individuals involved, including the affected students and their families and there may be continuing legal or administrative procedures that require confidentiality. 

“I want to assure you that we've taken swift, thorough, and appropriate action to address this situation. The individual in question is no longer employed by our district and has no access to our students. Our primary focus has been, and always will be, ensuring the safety and well-being of our students and maintaining a positive learning environment. We're committed to being as transparent as possible within these constraints. Thank you for your understanding.”