Leduc elementary school administrator asked Grade 3 students to show underwear, parents allege

Parents of students at an elementary school in Leduc are demanding answers, as Alberta RCMP investigate allegations of inappropriate behaviour.

The parents of Corinthia Park School students told CityNews one of the school’s administrators took several Grade 3 students to the washroom last Wednesday and asked them to show their underwear.

The parents say there are still questions about why the children’s underwear were checked, but the kids themselves told parents it was about checking for soiled underwear.

Parents were kept in the dark until a few of the children mentioned it to them. The parents then called each other to discuss it.

Calvin Monty, the associate superintendent of human resources at the Black Gold School Division, sent parents an email informing them two female staff members would be “absent from their duties” and not present at the school while the investigation continues.

The names of the staff members were redacted in the version of the email provided to CityNews by the school division.

“Black Gold is aware of the concern involving the students in 3H and the School Principal,” Monty told parents. “We are emailing you as the parent / guardian as your child is a student in 3H. Black Gold takes the concerns raised very seriously and our investigation process has begun.”

Monty told parents they could contact him directly with their concerns.

The school division’s acting superintendent, Cindi Vaselenak, told CityNews they “take seriously (their) commitment to provide safe and caring schools for our students. It is neither legally permissible nor appropriate to further comment on confidential student and personnel matters.”

One parent said the situation has been “tough” for everyone involved while they wait for answers. Multiple parents have said they are frustrated with comments online and threats aimed at the staff member, even though they say there was no reason for the underwear to be checked.

They want people to stop making assumptions about the incident.

Leduc RCMP say they received a report about “inappropriate behaviour” at the school on Thursday and are investigating.

“These are serious allegations that we’re taking very seriously,” Cpl. Kyle Smeltzer said in a news release. “We are working closely with Black Gold School Division to ensure the safety of everyone involved.”

Police say more details will follow if charges are laid.

Alberta Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides was notified of the incident and the ongoing investigation.

“I have been in touch with my department, and we take these situations that impact students very seriously,” Nicolaides said. “While we wait for the results of the investigation, the safety of students is my top priority.”