Schools

Two Manatee School Administrators Are Suspended

The leave of absence is related to an ongoing investigation into a Manatee High assistant football coach accused of inappropriate touching involving students.

Two Manatee school district administrators have been suspended, pending the outcome of an investigation into allegations of misconduct by former assistant football coach Rod Frazier.

Schools Superintendent Rick Mills confirmed Monday that Bob Gagnon, assistant superintendent, and Staff Attorney Scott Martin were placed on paid leave Monday morning.

Mills said that the decision to suspend the two administrators was based on "information obtained in an internal Manatee County School District investigation of the Rod Frazier case at Manatee High School." That investigation involves allegations of inappropriate touching by the former coach.

"At the conclusion of the investigation, if disciplinary action is warranted, I will bring that before the School Board of Manatee County," Mill said in a written statement.

Mills clarified media statements that Gagnon was escorted from his office by school resource officers from the Manatee County Sheriff's Office.

"For clarity, they were not escorted out of the School Support Center. However, School Resource Officers were on the grounds of the School Support Center this morning as part of best-practice procedures for these kinds of situations," he said in a written statement to the media.

"The number one priority of the Manatee County School District is the safety and security of our students, staff and employees.”

The leave of absence follows the decision by the school district to re-open an internal investigation against Frazier. Gagnon, 45, is former principal at Manatee High. 
The school district is not detailing the reasons for the suspensions. But the Herald-Tribune is reporting that paid leave of absence may be granted if an employee is under investigation for allegedly violating school policies.

Bradenton Police already recommended that Gagnon and Martin be charged in connection to the case. The charges could involve failure to report child abuse and/or lying to police.

The state Attorney General's Office is reviewing the case.

For more coverage of the allegation against the football coach

Find out what's happening in Bradentonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

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[updated: Monday, 3:42 p.m.]


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