Court Records Show Tulsa Public Schools Knew Of Complaints Against Accused Administrator

By Ashli Sims, The News On 6

TULSA OK -- New information reveals Tulsa Public School officials knew about complaints against the Skelly Elementary School employee who police are now investigating for child molestation.

The school district placed that administrator on paid suspension Tuesday.

Tulsa Public Schools is adamant officials did not know about the molestation allegation. They say complaints were made against the administrator, but nothing like what's described in the court documents.

Tulsa Police are still trying to piece together exactly what happened inside Tulsa's Skelly Elementary School.

A six-year-old boy told police he was molested by a Skelly elementary employee on school grounds.

The search warrant says the six-year-old told investigators the suspect put his hand inside the boy's pants and touched his privates. Court records also indicate some of the administrator's colleagues had concerns.

The search warrant says TPS officials turned over a "packet of emails" last Friday from several Skelly staff members. The emails describe what they believe to be "inappropriate touching, rubbing and hugging of several male students" by the administrator.

The emails also describe "young boys being alone with the suspect in his dimly lit office, using the suspect's computer."

Tulsa Public Schools officials say they were unaware of the molestation allegation. And the complaints in the emails were investigated within a day, administrative action was taken and campus police were notified.

"The behavior described in those emails did not rise to the level of criminal activity or obligate employees to report abuse to Tulsa Police," said TPS Police Chief Gary Ruddick.

But Ruddick says the parents of the six year old boy were urged to contact Tulsa Police if they felt abuse had taken place.

Tulsa Police served two search warrants to the administrator on Tuesday. Officers say they were looking for sexually explicit images to back up the six-year-old boy's claims. They seized the suspect's school computer and they also took a C-D, videotapes, and a bed sheet from the suspect's home.

The News On 6 has learned the Skelly school administrator's own son filed a protective order against him in 2009.

The News On 6 is not identifying the administrator, because he has not been arrested or charged.

But The News On 6 has learned he's worked for Tulsa Public Schools for 17 years, serving at Skelly, Lindberg, and Disney elementary schools.

Superintendent of Tulsa Public Schools, Dr. Keith Ballard, issued a statement:

"Tulsa Public Schools is committed to the safety and well-being of each and every one of our 42,000 students. We expect all staff members to conduct themselves in a manner that honors education and the children we serve.

While this is a Tulsa Police investigation that will be resolved with facts, it is important for the public to know that TPS will not tolerate the abuse of a single child.

The district cannot comment on specific personnel or criminal investigations. We support Tulsa Police detectives and will fully cooperate in the investigation."