Police say they have an open investigation but no one has yet been charged with a crime.
PERRYSBURG, Ohio — A Perrysburg Schools teacher is on administrative leave and under investigation after reportedly following a student’s bus home Wednesday to check if the student finished their homework.
According to Perrysburg police, a concerned parent contacted the principal of Hull Prairie Intermediate School about the incident.
According to police, the student’s father arrived at the home to find the teacher at the front door. The teacher reportedly stated that he was confirming the student completed their assignment because the class would receive a pizza party if all students completed their assignments.
A police report says the parent told the principal they were unaware the teacher was planning on coming to their residence and “found it to be really weird and concerning.”
According to the police report, the teacher stated he sometimes does this for students and asked the student if he could follow their bus home.
The email sent to Principal Scott Best from the student’s parents further stated they found it very out of the ordinary that a teacher would follow a student to the home to presumably pick up a missing assignment or check on homework completion, given the use of the school’s online portal that lets students and teachers email or upload assignments.
The district confirmed to WTOL 11 that the teacher was placed on administrative leave as there’s an open police investigation. Police say no one has been charged with a crime at this time.
Perrysburg superintendent Tom Hosler shared the following statement on the district’s website:
While we are limited in what we can share due to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the ongoing police investigation, please be assured that we take any concerns regarding student safety with the utmost seriousness. The well-being of our students remains our highest priority, and we are fully cooperating with law enforcement authorities.
Perrysburg Schools is committed to maintaining a safe, respectful, and supportive environment for all students. Staff members are expected to uphold professional boundaries and exercise sound judgment in accordance with their legal, professional, and ethical responsibilities. When a staff member’s actions do not align with these standards, the district will take action.
As we address this serious matter, the district is following all required procedures outlined in the Ohio Revised Code and the applicable collective bargaining agreement. These steps are essential to ensure due process is followed, protect the integrity of the investigation, and preserve the district’s ability to take appropriate action in response to the incident.
We are grateful to the family who reported this concern immediately, allowing us to act quickly. We encourage all students and families to speak up whenever they have concerns about staff conduct so we can address them right away. We appreciate your patience and understanding as this investigation continues. We will provide updates as we are able, within the limits of the law.
Thank you for your continued support in helping us maintain a safe and positive learning environment for every Perrysburg student.