Didn't Report Rape Claim
Deem Principal Fit After Controversy

By MEREDITH KOLODNER

The Office of the Special Schools Commissioner of Investigations ruled last week that the Principal of a school where a custodian was falsely accused of rape should have reported previous allegations by the child, but declined to discipline him further.

RICHARD CONDON: Principal understands now.

Principal Samuel Long of P.S. 91 was reassigned to administrative duty on March 20, the day after a school custodian was arrested and charged with raping an 8-year-old student. The shift was made after Mr. Long revealed that he did not report that the girl's mother told him in February about a different incident in which her daughter allegedly had been raped by another student in a school bathroom.

Custodian Cleared

The school custodian was cleared of all charges when the little girl's story began to fall apart, and he was released March 23. Mr. Long was permitted to return as Principal at P.S. 91 on April 27.

Mr. Long told investigators that he first met with the little girl's mother in February when she told him that her daughter had sex in a school bathroom with another student. He said she could not provide a description of the boy but wanted to walk around the school in order to point him out. Mr. Long refused that request, but offered her daughter school psychological counseling services. The mother declined, indicating she would continue taking her child to an outside psychologist.

Mr. Long said that he did not believe the allegations because it just "didn't ring true." He admitted that he did not tell anyone or report it, although he said he had received the Department of Education's training on reporting sexual abuse and harassment. He explained that he didn't believe the accusations because of the mother's calm demeanor, her inability to describe the boy, and ongoing behavioral problems with her daughter.

The letter from Special Commissioner of Investigations Richard J. Condon, referring to the little girl as Student A, stated, "Despite his belief that the report of the incident involving Student A on school premises was without merit, Long was required to notify the proper authorities and to document the allegation."

'Required to Notify'

The letter also noted that since returning to the school, Mr. Long had submitted reports documenting allegations made by students regarding inappropriate sexual conduct. "It appears that he now reports and documents all complaints whether he deems them to be credible or not," Mr. Condon stated. He recommended that DOE officials advise Mr. Long of his obligation to properly report and document incidents and remind him of his obligation to report matters to SCI.