Message from the Superintendent
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A MESSAGE FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT
Date: March 26, 2026Â
To:Â The Laurel Highlands School District CommunityÂ
Subject:Â Our Unwavering Commitment to Student Safety
Dear Students, Parents, and Staff,
Over the past several weeks, our district has faced deeply troubling news regarding the arrests of individual staff members for inappropriate behavior. I am writing to you today not just as your Superintendent, but as a fellow member of this community who shares your shock, anger, and concern.
When you entrust your children to our schools, we do so under a bond of protection and safety. To see that bond broken by individuals is unacceptable. While we cannot change the actions of those individuals, please know that we are holding those staff members accountable for their actions. Laurel Highlands School District has amazing educators, and they will continue to protect and educate your children.
We are taking steps to ensure our district remains a safe learning environment:
Full Cooperation:Â We are working hand-in-hand with local law enforcement to ensure thorough investigations. We have zero tolerance for any conduct that compromises student well-being.
Personnel Review:Â We are conducting an internal review of our reporting and screening processes to identify any gaps and ensure our standards exceed state requirements.
Enhanced Training:Â We have provided previous training, and moving forward, all staff will undergo additional mandatory training focused on professional boundaries and reporting suspicious behavior.
Support Services:Â Counseling remains available at every school for students or staff who need a safe space to process these events.
It is important to remember that the actions of a few do not define the hundreds of dedicated teachers, coaches, and support staff who show up every day with integrity. Our educators are often the first to advocate for a child’s safety, and they are just as devastated by these breaches of trust as you are.
Transparency is the first step toward healing. We promise to keep you informed as much as legal and privacy constraints allow. We ask for your partnership in staying vigilant and maintaining open lines of communication with your children. Your child’s safety remains a priority to us. We will work tirelessly to earn back your confidence through our actions, our vigilance, and our transparency.
Thank you for your continued support of our district, staff, and students during this challenging time.
Sincerely,
Dr. Jesse T. Wallace, III