Thirty KSD staff members were accused of sexual misconduct over five decades: four in the 1970s, seven in the 1980s, 10 in the 1990s, four in the 2000s and four in the 2010s, according to a report by independent investigative group Encompass Resolution. Out of the 30 accused, 14 had reports made prior to the summer of 2020.

Encompass Resolution, the independent group appointed to investigate the climate and culture around the handling of sexual abuse and misconduct allegations within KSD, requested and reviewed “nearly 40 individual employment files,” according to Ann Molloy, president of Encompass Resolution. The files that were reviewed were not limited to those of accused staff members, but included those who were relevant to the investigations. The group presented its final findings and report at the Board of Education meeting, Monday, June 28. 

According to Molloy, the group reviewed 500 pages of social media posts, a report form established by KSD and a report form established by Encompass Resolution itself. They also conducted interviews, reviewed survey responses and made direct contact with individuals over email. 

Recommendations from Molloy and her team on improving KSD’s practices included a page on the KSD website dedicated to Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972, an updated version of the handbooks directed at students and parents relating to  sexual misconduct, electronic record keeping rather than only hard copies, as well as a possibility of giving physical copies of handbooks to students and outsourcing any future investigations pertaining to sexual abuse allegations involving administrators. According to the report, Encompass Resolution’s recommendations come from observed findings of inconsistencies in record keeping or missing files in said records, suggestions of bias in investigations, incomplete investigations, lack of follow up to investigations and responses from parents and teachers in surveys suggesting lack of trust and a need for clarity. After the presentation by Molloy at the meeting, BOE President Jean Marie Andrews said that though the report was difficult and disappointing, the Board takes it very seriously and expects Superintendent Dr. David Ulrich and his team to implement the recommendations made by Encompass Resolution. 

“It is my hope that tonight begins a healing process and a new chapter in changing our culture and providing students with resources so they are empowered to report any behavior that makes them uncomfortable,” Andrews said. “Schools should be a safe place for every student.” 

Since Encompass Resolution’s preliminary report to the BOE in January 2021, students grades 6-12 received SafeSchools online sexual abuse training, staff involved in the Title IX process attended or are scheduled for live training, administrators focused on relevant policies dealing with sexual misconduct at a June retreat, and all administrators have been scheduled for live Title IX investigation training in August. Following the statement by Andrews, Ulrich made his closing remarks on the report. 

“In the coming days, we will analyze the report in detail and work to ensure all recommendations are promptly implemented,” Ulrich said. “Additional investigations into allegations will be conducted, where appropriate. Through this process, we are beginning to rebuild the trust our students need and our families and communities deserve.” 

The final report by Encompass Resolution is available here.