Principal, athletic director reassigned as Hamilton hazing case continues
Hamilton High School's principal and athletic director were reassigned Friday as police continued to look into hazing allegations about the football team.
(Facebook Photo)
(Facebook Photo)
PHOENIX — The principal and athletic director at Hamilton High School were reassigned Friday as a police investigation into hazing allegations surrounding the school’s football team continued.
The Chandler Unified School District said Principal Ken James and Athletic Director Shawn Rustad were both reassigned to district jobs away from the Hamilton campus, located near Ocotillo Road and Arizona Avenue.
“While none of the employees have been charged, it could be some time before the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office decides how it will proceed,’ the district said in a statement.
“Therefore, to avoid any distraction caused by this uncertainty, the district administration and employees believe that reassignment is the best course at this time.”
Former head coach Steve Belles was reassigned by the district in April.
Assistant Principal Chris Farabee and former Athletic Director Sharon Vanis will fill James’ and and Rustad’s positions. Another teacher will take over Belles’ classes.
Police have recommended charges against all three men. Those charges include child abuse.
Several Hamilton players were under investigation after hazing allegations surfaced in late March. Six players were arrested but only three were charged by police.
One 17-year-old has been charged as an adult with sexual assault, kidnapping and aggravated assault. Two 16-year-olds were charged as juveniles with kidnapping, aggravated assault and assault.
The crimes were allegedly committed between September 2015 and January 2017 on school grounds, but police said they first learned of them in February.
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Comments
2 Comments
Legally they can't just be fired. They haven't been charged with a crime yet. This is the right thing to do. If they are committed of any crimes then their careers are over. If the investigation identifies that their conduct was unbecoming of that position, then disciplinary measures such as firing is appropriate. I don't think you would want to lose your job over an incident you may have not had a hand in right?
Maybe. But innocent until proven guilty.