A St. Paul Public Schools employee is on leave after allegations were made that he had inappropriate "communications and actions" with a female student, according to the school district and police.
The principal of Capitol Hill Gifted and Talented Magnet school, Patrick Bryan, sent a letter to the school's parents Monday about the situation. The letter was sent about two weeks after school officials first learned about the allegations, which police characterized as a "CSC [criminal sexual conduct] investigation."
"Today, I'm writing to provide you with information regarding an allegation of staff misconduct at Capitol Hill," Bryan wrote in his letter. "On April 25, we learned about accusations of inappropriate communications and actions by one of our employees involving a student. We immediately followed our safety protocols and began a district investigation and contacted the Saint Paul Police Department. The employee was placed on leave on April 26. The family of the student involved was also notified.
"Due to privacy laws and the ongoing investigation, I am unable to provide additional details about the situation. Please know that the safety of students in our care is always a top priority."
Sgt. Mike Ernster, a police spokesman, said he could reveal few details about the ongoing investigation, but said a male employee allegedly had "inappropriate communications and actions" with a female student.
The school serves grades 1-8.
Ernster said that the communication was "electronic," but declined to say whether that involved phone calls, text messages, e-mails or social media. Police also declined to address the time frame of the alleged communications and actions.
"It's under investigation," Ernster said.
