Adolfo Guzman-Lopez
May 09, 2008
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L.A. Unified School Superintendent David Brewer met the board of education behind closed doors. KPCC's Adolfo Guzman-Lopez reports that Brewer defended his actions in a student sexual abuse scandal.
Adolfo Guzman-Lopez: Police arrested Fremont High School Assistant Principal Steve Rooney last year on weapons charges. Police were also investigating whether Rooney had had sex with a minor. At the time, Superintendent David Brewer received a confidential memo about the arrest.
Superintendent David Brewer: One of the things that happened in this particular case is the sexual allegations was not made clear in that memo; what happened was, that memo went forward and we're continuing that investigation.
Guzman-Lopez: After authorities dropped the gun charges, the district cleared Rooney to work at another school. The memo, sent by former Chief Operating Officer Dan Isaacs, noted Rooney's arrest for assault with a deadly weapon and continued, "LAPD is also investigating allegations that he had an unlawful sexual relationship with a minor."
Rooney's behind bars, charged with sexually assaulting the first student and two others after he was allowed to work at another school. L.A. Unified has removed two administrators from their duties after the school district looked into who cleared Rooney before the end of an investigation into his relationship with a minor.
Superintendent Brewer told the school board he's changed district policy. From now on, his office will be the only authority that can clear an employee to return to work in such cases.
