A middle school principal in Kaukauna named, but not a defendant, in the sexual abuse and misconduct lawsuit against the Oconto Falls School Board was the center of attention at the Aug. 24 Kaukauna School Board meeting.
Some residents there called for River View Middle School principal Lucas Cromell to either be removed permanently or placed on administrative leave pending an investigation.
The board did not take any action on Cromell’s employment status.
“Based on the personnel review and the information currently available related to the Oconto Falls civil complaint, Administration has not identified a sufficient basis to place Mr. Cromell on administrative leave or take other adverse employment action at this time,” according to a Kaukauna School Board statement issued to explain the board’s actions.
“When the District first learned that Mr. Cromell had been named in the civil complaint, District Administration promptly initiated a personnel review. As part of that review, Administration re-examined the District’s hiring process related to Mr. Cromell, including the third-party background check and reference checks conducted when he was hired by the Kaukauna Area School District. The District’s review found no information in those background or reference checks related to misconduct or to the allegations described in the complaint.”
The district also confirmed that, during Cromell’s 10 years of employment with the district, it has not received any complaints alleging misconduct.
A petition collected more than 400 signatures from people asking for some action be taken against Cromell.
“The Kaukauna Area School District understands the concern that parents, staff and community members may have regarding the allegations described in the civil complaint,” according to the statement. “In addition to the personnel review, the District, in consultation with outside legal counsel, evaluated the information currently available concerning the allegations in the Oconto Falls Public School District civil complaint.
“Based on the information available to the District at this time, the review has not identified evidence that substantiates the allegations. The District recognizes that questions and concerns may remain, and it will continue to carefully evaluate any additional information that becomes available.”
The lawsuit alleges Cromell sexually harassed students and teachers in Oconto Falls and retaliated against a teacher who rejected his advances. Cromell is one of 12 teachers named in the lawsuit.
The plaintiffs in the lawsuit allege the Oconto Falls School Board had a “pervasive unwritten policy, practice and custom of deliberate indifference to sexual misconduct in all its forms.”
According to the lawsuit, Cromell faces allegations from three students and at least four staff members. The allegations include sending inappropriate messages and misconduct in a classroom while serving as a substitute teacher.
Also, at least four staff members allege he sexually harassed them during his time at the district.
In a statement to WLUK-TV, Cromell denied the allegations.
“I categorically deny any such inappropriate conduct,” he said. “I am not a defendant in the lawsuit, and I will fully cooperate as needed. My focus has always been, and will continue to be, on the education, safety and well-being of the students and colleagues I serve.”
kpasson@newmedia-wi.com
