The Department of Education is facing another investigation into a staff member at one of its schools.
There are allegations of “inappropriate behaviour” from a staff member at Jack Hulland Elementary School in Porter Creek.
The allegations follow on the heels of a long-running investigation into what are widely regarded as inappropriate restraints and the use of isolation rooms for students.
The department responded quickly this morning with comments to The Yukon Star on the latest developing situation.
In a prepared statement, spokespeople said, “In May 2024, the Department of Education became aware of allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards students by an employee working at Jack Hulland Elementary School.”
The precise job status of the person in question was not revealed.
“We take all allegations or reports of inappropriate behaviour very seriously,” the department said.
“We responded quickly once we learned of the alleged conduct, and the employee was immediately removed from working at the school.”
The statement added, “We followed the processes established by the Safer Schools Action Plan. After reviewing the allegations, we made the decision to involve the RCMP and are co-operating with their efforts.
“To date, the Department of Education has not received any information from the RCMP to indicate there are ongoing public, school community, or student safety concerns with respect to the employee in question.”
Whitehorse RCMP confirmed this morning police are investigating.
“The Specialized Response Unit is currently investigating a report of inappropriate behavior by a Jack Hulland School employee towards students.
“The investigation was opened May 22, 2024 and is well underway. Although the investigation is ongoing, at this point, no criminal allegations have been established.
“These allegations are not related to the use of holds/restraints/isolation,” police added.
The Yukon Star reached out to Ted Hupé, the president of the Yukon Association of Education Professionals for a comment, but was unsuccessful.
The RCMP had conducted a two-year investigation into excessive disciplinary methods at Jack Hulland Elementary School. The investigation concluded in September 2023. The findings were not made public. That investigation had begun on Nov. 19, 2021.
Multiple families have launched lawsuits against the Yukon government over the incidents.
“While the conclusion of the RCMP’s investigation represents a significant milestone in this investigation, which has been ongoing since November 2021, it does not yet provide families with answers,” read a written statement at the time from Education Minister Jeanie McLean.
That investigation followed a bigger sexual abuse scandal at Hidden Valley Elementary School.
That case involved an educational assistant, who was subsequently convicted of sexualized assault, making it a rough few years for the department and for Yukon schools.
