By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
The Bowling Green Middle School teacher under investigation for possible criminal conduct has resigned. After an executive session this evening, the board of education accepted the resignation of Dylan Stark, an art teacher hired by the district in 2017.
Stark’s resignation came after the completion of the school district’s internal investigation into his conduct. The investigation by the Bowling Green Police Division is ongoing, according to Deputy Chief Justin White.
After the school board’s vote, Superintendent Francis Scruci explained district officials had been given information from another teacher who had received information from students about Stark.
The district followed up on those allegations, and on Oct. 19 Scruci turned the information over to Bowling Green Police Division. At the same time, the district continued its internal investigation.
Neither Scruci nor Board President Jill Carr were specific about Stark’s conduct that led to his resignation. However, Scruci said the investigation showed “behaviors that we wouldn’t accept in our district.”
Stark, who also coached football, turned in his resignation on Monday.
Scruci sent out an email to parents and staff last week asking the community to not spread rumors and to wait for the results of the investigation into Stark, who had been placed on paid leave.
“Every individual has rights,” Scruci said. “Rumors are dangerous. We wanted to make sure we protected everyone involved.”
Most of the allegations proved to be unfounded, but some were found to be true, Scruci said this evening.
Carr said the school board backed the district’s response to the accusations.
“The board supports the investigation the district engaged in,” she said.
A substitute teacher has been filling in for Stark’s classes. The district will now start the process to hire a replacement, Carr said.
Meanwhile, the police will continue looking into the possible misconduct.
“It’s still under investigation,” White said this evening.
