Introduction to the Incident
An administrator at the Contra Costa School of the Performing Arts was arrested on Wednesday after being accused of having sex with an underage student.
An administrator at the Contra Costa School of the Performing Arts in California was arrested on Wednesday after being accused of having sex with an underage student.
Details of the Arrest
Gerard Flaherty, the school’s climate and culture supervisor, was placed on leave following the arrest, according to school administrators.
"Creating a safe learning environment for our students is the top priority," the school said in a statement to NBC Bay Area.
Parental Concerns and Previous Reports
Some parents claim they aren’t surprised, and one said she reported suspicious behavior months ago.
"His boundaries are completely off, but it felt like everything was swept under the rug, like nobody cared," Antinitte Watkins, a mother of a student at CCSPA.
The Walnut Creek-based school notified the campus community on Thursday morning that Flaherty, 43, was arrested by Walnut Creek police.
"The person in question had sort of a creepy vibe about him. I, along with my daughter, saw him escort at least one or two teen girls to their vehicles in the middle of the school day, and that to me was a red flag, and I actually told my daughter to stay away from him," said Erin Freschi.
Reaction to the Arrest
Upon hearing of the arrest, Watkins said she was "infuriated."
She said her daughter had told her about an inappropriate relationship that students were talking about two months ago. Watkins said she then reported it to the school, but was brushed off.
"The principal told me that this was a lie, and this wasn’t happening," she said.
The school declined to comment on any specifics of the case, citing privacy laws.
Impact on the School Community
Parents said the incident is just another blow for students as the school is set to close at the end of the year. The decision came after struggling with low enrollment and alleged mismanagement.
"These kids are already going through a form of trauma because of the way the school is closing," said Erin Freschi. "To have this be the way we end our school year, it’s just really, really unfortunate."
Current Status and Next Steps
Flaherty is being held at the Martinez jail with no bail. Police said they plan to give the case to the District Attorney on Friday.
Anyone with information is urged to call the department.
Conclusion
The arrest of Gerard Flaherty, a school administrator at the Contra Costa School of the Performing Arts, has sent shockwaves through the community, with many parents expressing concern and outrage. The incident highlights the importance of creating a safe learning environment and the need for schools to take allegations of misconduct seriously. As the case moves forward, it is essential for the school and the authorities to prioritize the well-being and safety of the students.
FAQs
Q: Who was arrested in the incident?
A: Gerard Flaherty, the school’s climate and culture supervisor, was arrested.
Q: What were the allegations against Flaherty?
A: He was accused of having sex with an underage student.
Q: Had there been previous reports of suspicious behavior?
A: Yes, at least one parent reported suspicious behavior months ago, but was allegedly brushed off by the school.
Q: What is the current status of Flaherty?
A: He is being held at the Martinez jail with no bail.
Q: What is the next step in the case?
A: The police plan to give the case to the District Attorney on Friday.
