Top School Officials Resign, School Worker Accused of Exposing Self

By Kaitlin Flanigan
NECN
January 13, 2015

http://www.necn.com/news/new-england/School-Worker-Placed-on-Administrative-Leave-After-Allegedly-Exposing-Self-to-Students-288464851.html

Top officials at a Massachusetts Catholic school have resigned after a worker accused of indecently exposing him or herself in a boy's bathroom was placed on administrative leave.

The Archdiocese of Boston announced the news Tuesday afternoon, saying the worker at Immaculate Conception School in Revere allegedly exposed him or herself three times over the past month and a half while using the boy's bathroom, which is for the students' exclusive use. The diocese will not say whether this involves one student or more.

The pastor, principal and a teacher at Immaculate Conception have also resigned for "failure to report these possible incidents in a timely manner," the diocese said.

The diocese says this has been reported to the authorities and the school worker, who has not been identified, will stay on administrative leave pending an investigation. There's no word on if this is paid adminstrative leave.

The Suffolk County District Attorney's Office confirmed it was starting an investigation with Revere Police. The diocese also confirmed it reported this to the Department of Children and Families.

"By taking this action today, we believe it serves as teaching moment for our entire community to reinforce once again the importance of staying vigilant in the protection of our children," the Archdiocese of Boston said in a statement.

Parents and parishioners alike say they're upset.

"I'm very saddened. I can't see, you know, I went to that school back in the 50s and 40s. I can't see how it happened. It can happen anywhere," parishioner Phil Vilasi said.

Camelia Leone, whose two daughters attend Immaculate Conception School, said she has never had anything but good things to say about the school.

"Maybe they don't want to leave a potential culprit in the middle of the students. I don't know," she said upon hearing the unnamed school worker was placed on administrative leave.

The priest will be reassigned, with his location yet to be determined.