Parents rally outside Forest Glade elementary school in wake of teacher allegations

Parents rally outside a grade school, upset that a teacher wasn’t suspended following allegations of professional misconduct.

Rusty William Goertzen is facing allegations of “professional misconduct” by the Ontario College of Teachers (OCT).

“The notice that parents received from the principal on Friday at 5 p.m. stated that he was still actively teaching at this school,” Brittany Dumont said.

Dumont and Dylan Peebles say they’ve pulled their kids out of the school until the matter is resolved.

“Kids safety come(s) first way before the school,” Peebles said. “I’ll homeschool myself. I work weekends, I’m home from Monday to Thursday, and I have no problem teaching my children.”

The board won’t say if Goertzen is still teaching but the parents want him placed on leave until the matter is resolved.

“We want the right thing to be done,” Dumont said. “The right thing would be to put this teacher on a paid leave at the very minimum, until the outcome of the findings of the teacher college of teachers.”

Allegations against Goertzen

The allegations against Goertzen stem from incidents at two unidentified schools.

In the 2022-2023 school year, the OCT alleges Goertzen spent time alone with female students in the classroom even though he had been previously “advised on multiple times” to not show favouritism to female students.

And they allege he “engaged in a personal relationship” with a female student in July by communicating with her on social media.

The OCT also alleges he failed to report a sensitive conversation with her to his superiors.

At a different, unidentified school, the OCT alleges Goertzen “engaged in physical contact” with female students by “allowing them to touch his arms.”

He is also accused of spending time alone with two female students on school property.

None of the allegations against Goertzen have been proven and a date for an OCT disciplinary hearing has not been set.

School Board response

In a statement to CTV News, the Greater Essex County District School Board (GECDSB) told CTV News they do not comment on private personnel matters.

Here is their statement in its entirety:

Mario Spagnuolo, president of the Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario declined to comment on the allegations and would not confirm if Goertzen is still teaching.

According to AM800 News, Goertzen is a teacher in “good standing,” and he can continue to teach until the allegations are resolved.