The superintendent of the Moraga School District Bruce Burns must be really feeling the heat from the recent Contra Costa Times article detailing the failure to report sexual abuse from the 90s by Joaquin Moraga Intermediate School principal and current Los Perales Elementary principal Bill Walters because he has responded yet again with the following:

As most of you are probably aware, there have been several recent newspaper articles regarding events that occurred in the District in the 1990’s. These events included alleged sexual abuse of children. This is a very serious issue, as the safety of our children is paramount to the District. I have received several recent inquiries from parents about what the District knew about the allegations being discussed in the newspaper articles. The purpose of this communication is to provide some information about the District’s actions related to these allegations, and to assure the community that the District is responding appropriately and taking these issues very seriously. At the same time, as I’m sure many of you are also aware, I am legally limited in what I can disclose about any ongoing investigations or certain personnel matters.

The District recently received a request for records from the Bay Area News Group regarding the incidents that were alleged to have occurred in the District in the 1990’s. In responding to the request, I directed District staff to conduct an extensive search through the District’s records. That is when I became aware of the specific issues now being addressed by the press. The District worked cooperatively with the Bay Area News Group to provide the requested information in a timely fashion while ensuring that we complied with all applicable laws. The Bay Area News Group is to be commended for their inquiry, which served to alert me to the past incidents. Upon becoming aware of the specific issues that were subject of the document requests, I began an immediate investigation, including reviewing the documents in question and interviewing current and former employees, and consulting with the District’s legal counsel. Unfortunately, the District cannot comment on personnel matters, but I assure you that the District has taken appropriate and timely action following the completion of our investigation. Contrary to any suggestions otherwise, the District has not delayed its actions or investigations in this matter.

As stated in my earlier communication to parents, the safety of all District students is of paramount importance. The District has investigated all allegations of misconduct by District employees that have been brought to our attention, and we will continue to investigate and appropriately act in all such instances in the future. I thank the parent community for their concern, their caring, and their thoughtful inquiries, and continue to welcome dialogue on these important issues.

Reading between the lines what does one make of this? That Principal Walters, who was expected to retire by the end of the current school year, has been put on indefinite leave until he retires? That’s my guess.

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