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Fired Sewickley Academy teacher investigated by FBI

SEWICKLEY, Pa. — A former teacher at Sewickley Academy is under investigation by the FBI Violent Crimes Against Children Task Force, officials said Monday.

Allegheny County District Attorney spokesperson Mike Manko said administrators at Sewickley Academy contacted them about a matter concerning a staff member.

"Administrators at Sewickley Academy recently referred a matter concerning a staff member to the FBI Violent Crimes Against Children Task Force, of which our office is a member.  We are in the process of reviewing certain materials provided to the task force by the school administration,” Manko said.

Officials at Sewickley Academy said the teacher, who has not been charged, was fired on Friday.

The school released the following statement Monday:

“At Sewickley Academy, nothing is more important than the health, safety, and welfare of our students. The school's first core value is character, which calls upon all members of the community to uphold the highest ideals of honor, integrity, responsibility, respect, empathy, and kindness and the actions that flow from them.

"Last week, Sewickley Academy's Head of School Kolia O'Connor and Division Heads determined that a teacher violated Sewickley Academy's code of employee behavior. On Friday, October 25, Mr. O'Connor terminated (that teacher). The school immediately contacted the U.S. Attorney's Office which referred this matter to an FBI Task Force that works with the Allegheny County District Attorney's Office. The school also contacted Child Welfare Services and Child Protective Services. Sewickley Academy will cooperate fully with law enforcement in any and all investigations.

"Sewickley Academy's commitment to the health, safety, and welfare of our students is the school's top priority. The overreaching goal in all that we do is to protect our community's members. The actions taken in recent days are consistent with this unwavering commitment. At this time, the school is focused intently on supporting and caring for all of its members.”

Parents of students at Sewickley Academy said they were called to an emergency meeting on Friday to discuss the teacher’s termination.

Channel 11’s Timyka Artist reported that Child Protective Services has also gotten involved in the investigation.