CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – Albemarle County Public Schools have announced the date and time of a special School Board meeting, in which the board will discuss the details of a forthcoming third-party review and investigation.
The meeting is set for Aug. 4 at 10 a.m. at the Albemarle County Office Building.
The investigation comes as the division continues to grapples with the aftermath of former Hollymead Elementary staffer Michael Swiney’s arrest on June 4 on charges of sexual misconduct involving children.
Superintendent Dr. Matthew Haas and Hollymead Principal Joe McCauley both resigned in the immediate aftermath of the arrest amidst a strong backlash.
The division also faces further scrutiny after Assistant Superintendent Patrick McLaughlin was placed on administrative leave on Friday following a sexual harassment accusation made against him during last Thursday’s school board meeting, in which the Board also passed a new policy governing regulations for 1-on-1 meetings with students.
Swiney’s arrest also came just three months after former Woodbrook Elementary teacher Nicholas Clark was charged with possessing child pornography and distributing child pornography in March.
Calls for an independent investigation into the division amidst these incidents have come from a countless number of parents and other community members, as well as local lawmakers like Rep. John McGuire, State Sen. Creigh Deeds, Del. Katrina Callsen and Del. Amy Laufer.
