Rich East Educator On Leave After Inappropriate Conduct With Student
CHICAGO (CBS) -- A faculty member at a south suburban high school has been placed on leave amid allegations of inappropriate conduct with a former student.
Earlier this week, another student told a teacher at Rich East High School about the alleged incident. The conduct allegedly occurred while the student, who has since graduated, was enrolled at the school, Supt. Donna Simpson Leak said in a statement.
Rich East authorities notified the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services and Park Forest Police, which are now investigating the matter.
Officials with Rich Township High School District 227 placed the teacher on administrative leave while it also investigates.
At this time, no formal charges have been filed.
No further details about what happened between the faculty member and student were available.
"As a parent, we've heard about situations like this in the past. I feel like the administration should have a more comfortable environment where the children feel that they can come forward with things like this," Park Forest mom Muminah Abdul-Malik tells CBS 2.
Students say the halls of Rich East are buzzing about this latest news, even though details of how long the alleged behavior may have lasted and exactly who is involved have been withheld.
"I mean, it's a shocker because this is an excellent high school," Adriean Williams says.