Atlantic School strip search update 11/7/09

Atlantic school conducted a strip search of high school girls last August BTR Atlantic school search and have finally produced a report which said "we aren't going to do anything about it". No action recommended in Atlantic strip-search

Officials at Atlantic High School have finished an investigation into an alleged illegal strip-search of several girls at the school, but they did not recommend any action be taken.

Assistant principal Paul Croghan ordered a counselor to search the girls and to check their bras. Earlier reports note that one girl was ordered to remove all of her clothing.

District officials now appear to be waiting for the girls and their lawyers to tell them what to do next.

"The investigation is complete," Atlantic Superintendent Dan Crozier said Monday. "Steps will be taken. We just have to see what the requests are."

I know what I'd be asking for.

But today they are reporting that disciplinary action is being taken against two employees but it could range from reassignment of duties to suspension and the school doesn't want to talk about it. Discipline levied in Atlantic strip-search caseMaybe a little jail time and sex-crime registry for these guys for a start.

ACLU of Iowa asking about Atlantic strip search

I missed this last week: the Iowa chapter of the ACLU (whom I normally disagree with 99.9% of the time) is asking for more details from the Atlantic School District and how they are handling their staff discipline ACLU gets involved in Atlantic school strip-search case

ATLANTIC (WHNS) – The American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa wants to know what disciplinary action was taken against the two high school staff members who were involved in the alleged strip search of female students in Atlantic.

The ACLU also has asked the Atlantic Community Schools to specify which employees were disciplined.

The request came in response to an Aug. 21 incident in which five Atlantic High students were asked to remove their clothes or partially disrobe while being searched by a guidance counselor.

The girls were accused of taking $100 and despite a state law barring strips searches at schools, a couple of idiots decided to ignore the law. The superintendent ruled it was okay, because "school policy" allows searches. The guy makes up other stuff, too:

Dan Crozier, superintendent of the Atlantic Community Schools, said two staff members had been disciplined in connection with the searches.

He did not name the employees or detail the disciplinary measures, citing confidentiality of personnel matters.

“There’s a law that says personnel files are personal,” said Crozier. “It’s like medical records.”

Medical records aren't as private as you may think.

The ACLU is asking questions and want to take names. I'd like the girls to be vindicated and the idiots who committed child abuse punished.

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BTR Atlantic school search

Altantic assitant principal resigns

Atlantic assistant principal resigns after "allegedly" ordering a strip search of female students. Atlantic school official named in strip search case resigns

The assistant principal who allegedly ordered the strip search of several high school girls in Atlantic has resigned.

The resignation of Paul Croghan, assistant principal and activities director, was announced Tuesday night at the Atlantic Community School District's board meeting.

Croghan, without consulting district policy, ordered a female counselor to search the girls' bras after a classmate claimed $100 had been stolen from her, according to a recent report commissioned by the district.

Granted, he wasn't involved with the actual search, which would be cause for registering as a sex offender, but it looks like he ordered the deed.

Previous posts:
BTR Atlantic school search

Girls suing school for strip search

A story that I've been following regarding the Atlantic High School strip search of five girls that were accused of stealing $100. BTR Atlantic school search (They never found the money). Three of the girls are suing the principals involved:

The three girls were among those ordered to submit to a search in a locker room during a gym class on the third day of the school year.

Listed as defendants in the case are the school district, as well as Paul Croghan, who was the high school’s assistant principal at the time; and Heather Turpin, a school counselor.

Girls in strip search case sue school

Strips searches are illegal in Iowa schools, but apparently there are no criminal consequences if one should perpetrate an illegal strip search. No one has been charged.

More updates to the Atlantic school strip search

More information has come out about the Atlantic school strip search that I posted.

It seems that the girl with missing money was a daughter of a teacher. No police report of a missing $100 has been filed. If it's really missing, why no report?

Looks like they are circling the wagons and looking for a scapegoat.

9/18/09 Update: Parents are still angry and lawyers are talking as One girl was excused from the search.

Strip search in Atlantic school

The Des Moines Register reports

School officials in Atlantic forced five teenage girls to take off their clothing for a search after a classmate reported $100 missing from her purse, according to the girls' families and two lawyers.

The classmate and a female counselor stood watch in the girls' locker room at Atlantic High School as the five girls removed their clothing, lifted up their underwear, and in one case took off all her clothing, according to lawyers Ed Noethe of Council Bluffs and Matt Hudson of Harlan.

Strip-searching is illegal in Iowa schools

And the kicker: "I guess I really can't comment on that because of confidentiality of those involved," Crozier [interim superintendent] said.

He's only concerned with confidentiality after he abused 5 girls.

Gov. Chester can't make up his mind about strip search

As I posted at Atlantic school strip search, we have from the Des Moines Register that an unnamed administrator was suspended. (thanks anon)

WHO radio reported that our Governor Chester Culver could see both sides of this issue.

The school officials could see more than both sides of this issue (sorry) and if you can't figure out if it was illegal, then maybe find a new job.