The fallout from the sex abuse scandal at an elementary school in Perry, Oklahoma, continues with the resignation of former superintendent Scott Chenoweth.
Chenoweth was suspended with pay after an investigation led to criminal charges against at teacher's aide accused of molesting several girls and a teacher and principal accused of failing to report sexual abuse. Chenoweth has not been charged with any crime, but as the leadership of the school district, he was suspended with pay, continuing to draw his salary of $8,800 per month. Meanwhile, the school district was also paying an interim superintendent at the same rate.
Last week, the board reached an agreement with Chenoweth, accepting his resignation and paying him $76,042 to step down. Additionally, the district will pay for Chenoweth's legal defense should he face charges as a result of the investigation. A representative from Candor, an Oklahoma City public relations firm hired by the school district, said that the resignation agreement stipulates that neither Chenoweth nor the school board will issue a statement regarding the resignation.
Five other teachers and school district employees also resigned that night. While many cited personal reasons unrelated to the sex abuse scandal, at least one cited a "lack of leadership" in the district and said that "the community has been fouled."
At least 10 girls testified at a preliminary hearing that Arnold Cowen, 86, fondled them and touched them inappropriately while at school. However, an investigation has led police to determine that there are now 24 alleged victims rather than the 10 originally thought.
A judge ruled that there is sufficient evidence to bind Cowen over for trial on 20 counts of lewd or indecent acts to a child under 16 and one count of aggravated possession of child pornography.
A math teacher and a principal have also been charged in connection with the case. Prosecutors say Cowen worked in the classroom of Jeffrey Sullins, and that when students complained of Cowen's inappropriate behavior, he called them liars and did not report their concerns. He is charged with two misdemeanor counts of failure to promptly report child abuse or neglect.
Principal Kendra Miller is also charged with failure to report child abuse. Prosecutors say that she was aware of the allegations against Cowen, but did not take them seriously. She did not report the allegations to authorities, and she continued to allow Cowen to work with children. In many cases, he worked as a substitute or a "cover" in classrooms while teachers attended personal business, leaving him unsupervised with the children.
Miller and Sullins resigned from Perry schools in March. Their teaching licenses have been suspended by the Oklahoma Department of Education.
