Goodrich- Tears were shed and applause rang out last Monday, as approximately 80 people packed the meeting room for the Goodrich Area Schools Board of Education. About 32 people spoke for a combined total of nearly two hours during the ‘public comments? portion of the meeting. Most had one topic on their minds: sexual harassment.
The large turnout was in response to allegations of sexual harassment made against Middle School Principal Jerry Lawrason. Parents and students on both sides of the issue had shown up in force to voice their opinions on what, if any, action should be taken by the district.
‘On March 28, it was brought to my attention that some of the students in the eighth grade girls? reproductive education class that morning had voiced concern regarding some of the behaviors of their principal. The lesson at that time was sexual harassment,? Superintendent Kimberly Hart read from a prepared statement at the beginning of the meeting.
‘While there have been allegations of barking and whistling and nicknames for students, there have been no allegations that upon investigation appear to be criminal or sexual in nature. The preliminary investigation has not been able to determine that any of the actions investigated were sexual in nature,? Hart said.
Hart also reiterated a comment she had made when allegations first surfaced, saying she had received three times as many letters and phone calls in support of Lawrason as those of an opposing nature.
? …This is not a popularity contest,? said Dana Reichart, wife of Fred Reichart who was the first to comment on this issue to ABC12 news, spreading word of the allegations throughout the community. Dana Reichart urged community members to put their personal opinions of Lawrason aside and view the allegations as though they were being made of anyone else who had behaved similarly.
Many in attendance accused the Reicharts of prematurely taking the issue to the media rather than pursuing other avenues. Others lashed out at the media as a whole for coverage of the story.
The couple countered by saying it was only after they had felt dismissed by administration that they engaged the media.
‘The reason we are standing her today is because with this investigation, nothing is happening,? said Fred Reichart. In their public comments, the Reicharts also said allegations of a more sexual nature were being glossed over in this situation.
Many others in the audience, however, spoke strongly in favor of Lawrason.
Speaker Cindy Archibald said of Lawrason, ? He’s an asset to the district and one of the reasons students are successful.
Student Kristy Garr agreed. ‘He’s always cared about the kids…For something to go this far, it could ruin this guy’s career… If you disagreed with some of the things he does and told him, he’d stop. He would never try to hurt a kid.?
Garr added that while many of her friends thought the principal was ? a big dork,? he never made them feel uncomfortable.
A few speakers said they or their children had contacted school officials about similar situations in the middle school in years past, and were left feeling unacknowledged.
Parent Vicki Douglass said her son had reported seeing harassing behavior from Lawrason when he was in middle school, and reported the incidents to a counselor. Douglass said no action was taken in response to her son’s complaint, and she felt it had been ignored ultimately. Doulgass also gave the school permission to question her son about what he witnessed in their current investigation.
Barbara Zerilli said she had a similar experience when her daughter was in the school, and she had reported inappropriate behavior.
A surprising moment in the evening came when former district employee Dennis Harris recounted a story in which he was fired for sexual harassment for saying ‘Good morning, you look lovely.? Harris said he had 45 letters of support in his situation, but was told by former superintendent Raymond Green that regardless of public support, he was in violation of the district? sexual harassment policy and was fired.
Harris said if any other action was taken in this situation it would constitute a double standard on the part of the district and he would seek legal action.
Some in the audience drew into question the process the school was using to investigate Lawrason. Parent and frequent critic of district administration Mark Griffiths said he was upset that Lawrason hadn’t immediately been placed on administrative leave and his office locked down so his computer could be searched for suspicious materials.
Another common concern expressed was how middle school students themselves were dealing with a subject which has quickly divided the community.
Hart said she expects the investigation of Lawrason to be completed by April 20.