Teacher under investigation suspended

SALAMANCA, N.Y. (WIVB) - A Salamanca City Central School District employee is on administrative leave while administrators and Cattaraugus County Sheriff's officials conduct an investigation into allegations of inappropriate communications with a minor.

"The allegations that we are investigating involve whether or not there were inappropriate communications or correspondences or contact with a minor," said Cattaraugus Sheriff Timothy Whitcomb.

In a case this sensitive in nature, News 4 has chosen to protect the person at the center of the investigation, but he is identified as a teacher who also coaches both a boys and girls sports team.

Superintendent of Schools Robert Breidenstein tells News 4 they are investigating a possible violation of section 6190 of district policy.

Section 6190 involves relationships between students and staff.  The policy reads, in part: "Staff-Student Relations - or Fraternization - specifically flirting; dating; requests for sexual activity; frequent personal communication with a student (via phone, e-mail, etc.); inappropriate touching; and engaging in sexual relations."

"Unfortunately, periodically, our society proves to us over and over again that are people out there who will take advantage of minors," said Sheriff Whitcomb.

The sheriff's investigation is ongoing and they have yet to file any charges. Superintendent Breidenstein says he does not plan to send a letter home to parents about the matter unless the result of the investigation is serious enough to warrant notifying parents of the outcome.