Teaching slot being held for Atoyan

John Howell
Posted 10/8/15

A position as science teacher at Winman Junior High School is being held open for the Gorton Junior High School teacher who was arrested earlier this year on charges of first- and second-degree …

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Teaching slot being held for Atoyan

Posted

A position as science teacher at Winman Junior High School is being held open for the Gorton Junior High School teacher who was arrested earlier this year on charges of first- and second-degree sexual assault, the Beacon has learned.

Mario Atoyan was arrested in March in connection with an incident involving a 15-year old North Kingstown girl that allegedly took place in June of 2014. The Warwick School Committee immediately suspended him without pay.

Soon after Atoyan’s arrest, as a part of downsizing, a science teacher position was eliminated in anticipation of the current academic year. As Atoyan was the science teacher with the least seniority at the school, his job was eliminated and he became eligible to seek another position in the job fair on June 29.

According to Rosemary Healey, school director of human resources, Atoyan was not permitted to attend the job fair, but the Warwick Teachers Union selected a position on his behalf.

“We are holding that position for him [Atoyan],” Healey said. A certified substitute science teacher is currently filling the position, she said.

“He’s innocent until proven guilty,” interim superintendent William Holland said of Atoyan. However, Holland, also said, “If he’s reinstated, it raises a lot of questions.”

Atoyan’s arrest triggered a storm of protests after some members of the school administration defended him and incidents came to light revealing Atoyan had drawn phallic symbols on the arms of two student girls while in school. Police investigated, but the parents of the girls didn’t want to press charges.

With Councilwomen Donna Travis, Kathleen Usler and Camille Vella-Wilkinson, as well as school committee member Karen Bachus, demanding answers, the committee retained attorney Vincent Ragosta to investigate how the school administration treated complaints about Atoyan. That report has been completed but has not been made public. [See accompanying article.]

Asked if Atoyan could be terminated, Healey said, “That’s up to the school committee and legal review.”

No matter the outcome, Healey found it doubtful Atoyan would return to the Warwick school system.

Atoyan is scheduled for a pretrial conference on Oct. 16, according to court records.

Comments

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  • Justanidiot

    Put him to work in the stockroom counting Sharpies.

    Thursday, October 8, 2015 Report this

  • JohnStark

    I implore readers to show this article to anyone who asks the question: "Why are so many parents fed up with the Warwick public schools?"

    Thursday, October 8, 2015 Report this

  • georgecarver

    ......"came to light revealing Atoyan had drawn phallic symbols on the arms of two student girls while in school" What else need be known to keep this maggot away from school kids? I can't understand how this can continue to be deemed as acceptable by School committee "leaders" and others. This BS just goes on and on and on. We'll see what comes around on this...I guess we have to rely on Karma in Warwick Public schools to better safeguard the kids . Very ridiculous indeed!

    Friday, October 9, 2015 Report this

  • longtimewarwickite

    Are you kidding me? Even allegations of inappropriateness with students should be enough to kick his slimy butt out of the WSD. If our delusional School Committee can't see that, then they need to go too. Oh wait, they already do need to go.

    Sunday, October 11, 2015 Report this