Stonington The state Office of the Child Advocate has found that school officials knew of the sexual harassment allegations against high school teacher and coach Timothy Chokas from 2013 to 2017 and did not take all the steps it could to respond to the allegations before allowing him to resign after more complaints in 2019.
In a 52-page report, the office also criticizes school officials for not documenting or following up on the allegations against Chokas or placing complaints in his file, and pointed out that at least one teacher failed to report concerns about suspected abuse to the state Department of Children and Families or police as required by law.
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Stonington State Child Advocate Sarah Eagan said Wednesday that she has sent the school district a draft of her investigation into whether school officials here followed policy when they learned about the sexual harassment allegations involving former Stonington High School teacher and coach Timothy Chokas.
Meanwhile, state Department of Education spokesman Peter Yazbak said Wednesday that his agency is waiting to receive Eagan s final report as it proceeds with its investigation into whether Chokas teaching certificate should be revoked. That certificate does not expire until June 2023.
Eagan, who began her review in July 2019 after The Day began publishing a series of stories about how school officials handled the allegations against Chokas, wrote in an email that her office is working through the findings and recommendations of the draft with school officials.
Stonington School officials on Tuesday night outlined their proposed 2021-22 budget of $38.3 million and its 2.5% increase for the Board of Finance.
Board member Gordon Lord read a letter from school board Chairman Frank Todisco, who was away on business. Todisco called the proposed budget a responsible spending package for taxpayers that provides necessary education services for students.
He pointed out three areas employees raises, health insurance and special education transportation account for much of the $934,000 increase. He concluded by respectfully asking the finance board to send the budget to referendum and let the community make the decision.
Board member Jack Morehouse pointed out the many innovative initiatives in the school system over the past few years that the finance board members might not be aware of. He said state test results continue to improve, outpacing communities such as East Lyme and Waterford, and described th
School board members have agreed to form an advisory council to make recommedations on how to address COVID-related issues in the schools going forward.