Bellefonte High employee suspended for alleged inappropriate contact with students | Centre Daily Times

A Bellefonte High School employee has been suspended for allegedly having inappropriate contact with female students.

Bellefonte Area School District Superintendent Michelle Saylor confirmed the suspension in a statement.

“The district is recently aware of a policy violation by an employee,” the statement said. “We as a district are appalled by the alleged behaviors associated with the allegations and took direct and appropriate actions.”

Bellefonte police Chief Shawn Weaver said the employee was newly hired, part time and that some of the allegations against the male employee are of a physical nature. Bellefonte’s school-based police officers are leading an investigation into the allegations..

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Saylor’s statement said the school district followed protocol in response to the allegations against the employee.

“We are thankful that we have the protocols in place that allow us to act swiftly on any information that we receive,” the statement said. “The employee was immediately suspended and is not permitted on school property nor was the employee in any school buildings at any point after the allegations were brought forward. The situation is being addressed by law enforcement. Since it is an ongoing investigation we are not able to release any additional information at this time.”

Bellefonte police Officer Michael Lyons said he could not release more information, because the police department wants to preserve the integrity of the investigation.