Kirk Ashton the school principal at Northwood Elementary in Hilton accused of sexually abusing nine students has more than two decades of experience at local schools as an educator.
Hilton parent Scott Upham, whose daughter attended Northwood from 2010-2014, remembers his daughter s former principal as professional and courteous with parents. He reflected on a dozen or so interactions with Aston, who attended and hosted several school events. They were all positive, and that s why this is kind of shocking, Upham said.
Earlier this week, the 51-year-old Ashton was arraigned on six counts of first-degree sexual abuse and five counts of second-degree course of sexual conduct, both felonies, and nine counts of endangering the welfare of a child, a misdemeanor.
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By Spectrum News Staff Hilton PUBLISHED 5:10 PM ET Apr. 08, 2021 PUBLISHED 5:10 PM EDT Apr. 08, 2021
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HILTON, N.Y. Letters sent home to some Hilton School District parents on Thursday say an elementary principal is on leave pending an investigation.
The district sent letters to parents of Northwood Elementary students, letting them know that Principal Kirk Ashton is on leave.
The letter says this happened after information was brought forward to district leaders.
The district superintendent did not say much else, adding that they couldn t comment on a personnel matter.
Parents were informed that Kelley O Connell-Byrne is serving as acting principal for now.
Photo: Hilton Central School District. WHECTV Created: April 08, 2021 04:32 PM
HILTON, N.Y. (WHEC) The principal of Northwood Elementary School in Hilton is on administrative leave pending an investigation.
The Hilton Central School District sent a notice to families Thursday saying:
“The Hilton School District has placed Mr. Kirk Ashton, Northwood Elementary principal, on administrative leave pending an investigation into information brought forward to the district. This involves a personnel matter and the district cannot comment further. Mrs. Kelley O’Connell-Byrne will serve as the acting principal.”
New York State Police tell News10NBC, “The State Police has an ongoing criminal investigation at the Hilton School District.”