Superintendent Morton Sherman again pledged action amid more questions about fourth grade teacher Justin Colemans recent arrest on a child pornography charge at Thursday’s school board meeting.

Sherman reiterated that administrators acted

appropriately after learning about the federal allegations against the John Adams Elementary School teacher, but said communication between officials and parents needs improvement going forward. His remarks came during the school boards first meeting since Colemans arrest.  

Going forward, Alexandria City Public Schools staff will work closely with PTAs to get the word out quicker to families during any similar situations, Sherman said. Administrators will have robo-calls and mass email lists at their disposal in the future, he said. The district may also add an ombudsman position to foster better ties between parents and staff.

Still, some parents arent satisfied, even after a community meeting held in the West End school more than a week ago. Parent Samantha Boyd called for an independent review of the districts lines of communication. 

I am very concerned that there does not seem to be a proper investigation going forward as to how that teacher was at school, she said. [The PTA is] looking into an investigation independent to give us ideas Maybe if it was handled in a different way we would not have had to endured what we did endure.

Sherman indicated staff is moving forward with a more stringent screening policy of volunteers, but said there was no guarantee the district could weed out all possible threats to children.

There are no guarantees, no promises, no assurances with 100 percent that were going to catch all the individuals out there, the human beings who would hurt children, Sherman said. Its difficult to even say, because I cant imagine, I cant fathom that an adult would do something to children like weve seen over the past week.