COLCHESTER, Conn. — A Colchester high school has canceled the remainder of its football season after some athletic staff members were placed on administrative leave amid an investigation into alleged Title IX violations.
In a statement on Wednesday, the superintendent said an investigation is underway at Bacon Academy after two interactions of student-athletes from two athletic teams.
Staff members of one of the teams have been placed on paid administrative leave for the duration of the investigation.
“While the District has completed the initial investigation of certain allegations, district officials have learned of multiple additional allegations that must be investigated,” the school district said in a statement.
The school district did not release any specific details into the alleged interactions by the athletes or identify the staff members placed on administrative leave.
The Colchester Superintendent of Schools, Jeffrey Burt, sent a statement to FOX61 Friday, which said:
“The safety, protection and well-being of our students is our top priority, and we are in the midst of a thorough investigation. Federal Title IX investigations are conducted under strict guidelines, and I am not permitted to discuss specific details at this time. I have been speaking with school staff, parents, members of the Board of Education, our First Selectman and concerned people in our community, and have two important things to share:
- First, we are working with local and state authorities to see that all issues emerging from the investigation are fully examined, that corrective actions are taken swiftly and that we will be providing reinforced training for coaches, staff, volunteers and team captains.
- Second, the ending of Bacon Academy’s football season was a protective measure—not a punitive one. With the football coaches and staff on paid administrative leave during the investigation, we could not provide the certified personnel required to ensure proper supervision for practices and games.
I will continue to provide updates, when possible and appropriate, as the situation evolves and to ensure that our policies and protocols are protective of the students in our care.”
The ACLU of CT said Thursday Title IX protects people from several forms of sex-based discrimination.
"It protects against sex segregation, sex discrimination, sex stereotypes in education, and that includes gender-based violence and sexual harassment," said Elana Bildner, staff attorney for the ACLU of CT. "They protect girls, boys, all genders, everybody," she said.
The Bacon Academy football team had two more games on the schedule: one this Saturday and the other on Thanksgiving.
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