Schools

FCPS On Lanigan: "School System Followed Its Legal Requirement"

Administration comments on actions in the case of gym teacher who was falsely accused of molestation.

Fairfax County Public Schools earlier this week issued a statement regarding the case of physical education teacher Sean Lanigan, saying it followed school district procedure when a student accused him of molesting her.

"Fairfax County Public Schools’ top priority is to ensure the safety of all its students," FCPS said in a statement to The Washington Post.  "The school system followed its legal requirement when a complaint was made against Mr. Lanigan and reported it to authorities for their investigation."

To read FCPS' entire comment on the case, click here.

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Lanigan, a teacher and soccer coach, recounted to The Washington Post in a Sunday story the devastating consequences to his family in the wake of false accusations by a Centre Ridge Elementary School student last year.

FCPS added: "Our parents and community expect that school employees will be disciplined in instances of inappropriate behavior, regardless of whether the employee is found guilty of specific charges in a court of law.  This means the school system has an independent obligation to investigate alleged misbehavior, and take appropriate action, regardless of the outcome of the criminal and CPS proceedings. In any case involving a serious disciplinary proceeding, it is standard school system practice to place the teacher in a different school than the one where the dispute occurred."

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

Lanigan, a teacher at Centre Ridge Elementary for more than 12 years, was transferred to South Lakes before the start of the 2010-11 school year.

Lanigan and his wife also appeared on The Today Show on Tuesday. To read more about the TV appearance, click here.


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