MANATEE (FL)
Bradenton Herald
MANATEE - 'notoriety,' resigns job
Haile Middle School Assistant Principal Joseph Gilpin resigned Friday, just two days after allegations resurfaced that he molested two young boys while he was a Catholic seminarian more than 30 years ago.
"After some thought and prayer, I think it best that I terminate my employment with the Manatee County school district," Gilpin wrote in his resignation letter, addressed to Manatee County School Superintendent Roger Dearing.
Dearing accepted the resignation, but indicated the district still plans to learn more about Gilpin's past.
"That closes one chapter and opens another," Dearing said. "I believe it's incumbent upon us as a school district to make sure nothing untoward has happened here in this school district.
"The main thing is to make sure current and former students were protected when under his charge."
In reviewing school district and law enforcement records in Manatee, The Herald found at least three instances where Gilpin had been accused of inappropriate contact with students during a career that spanned more than 30 years.
Posted by kshaw at January 29, 2005 06:10 AM