The Warren Township Board of Education has terminated the contract of a teacher following an investigation into allegations of a punitive training exercise that left at least one student dancer with second-degree burns. The educator had previously resigned from her position as the Warren Central dance coach earlier this month amid the inquiry.
In a formal statement, the district confirmed the board's decision, which concludes a comprehensive internal review conducted in cooperation with local authorities. The incident has raised significant concerns among parents and community members about student safety and coaching practices within school athletic programs.
Key Takeaways
- The Warren Township Board of Education voted to cancel the contract of a teacher who was also the former dance coach at Warren Central High School.
- The termination follows an investigation into an incident where dance team members were allegedly forced to perform bear crawls on a hot track.
- At least one student sustained second-degree burns as a result of the exercise.
- The individual had already resigned from her coaching role before being fired from her teaching position.
- The school district cited a comprehensive internal review and cooperation with local authorities as the basis for its decision.
District Confirms Termination After Review
The final decision regarding the educator's employment was made public following a vote by the Board of Education. This action permanently severs the teacher's professional ties with the district, where she held a teaching role separate from her coaching duties.
In a joint statement, Warren Township Superintendent Dr. Tim Hanson and Board President Rachel Burke addressed the board's action. "The Board of Education voted to cancel the educator’s contract with the district," the statement read. This decisive step followed what officials described as a thorough and careful process.
"This decision follows the completion of a comprehensive internal review and our full cooperation with local authorities and agencies." - Dr. Tim Hanson, Superintendent, and Rachel Burke, Board President
The district has emphasized its commitment to a full and transparent process, though details of the internal review have not been made public, which is standard procedure for personnel matters. The reference to cooperation with "local authorities and agencies" suggests that external bodies may also be examining the circumstances surrounding the student injuries.
Details of the Incident Emerge
The investigation was initiated after allegations surfaced concerning a practice session for the Warren Central dance team. According to reports from parents and students, team members were instructed to perform "bear crawls" as a form of physical conditioning or punishment.
This exercise reportedly took place on the school's outdoor track during a period of high temperatures. The surface of the track, heated by the sun, is alleged to have caused significant injuries to the students' hands. At least one dancer was medically treated for second-degree burns, a serious injury that can cause blistering, severe pain, and potential scarring.
What Are Bear Crawls?
Bear crawls are a full-body exercise where an individual moves on all fours with their knees off the ground. This places direct and continuous pressure on the hands and feet. Performing this movement on a superheated surface like asphalt or a rubberized track can quickly lead to thermal burns.
The incident prompted immediate concern from parents, leading to the coach's resignation from her supplemental coaching contract earlier this month. However, her status as a teacher within the district remained under review until the board's final vote.
Student Safety and Coaching Standards Under Scrutiny
This event has ignited a broader conversation within the Warren Township community about the standards and oversight for athletic coaching. Parents and safety advocates argue that all personnel entrusted with student welfare, including coaches, must prioritize safety above all else.
Key questions being raised include:
- What are the established protocols for safe training practices in extreme weather conditions?
- How are coaches vetted and trained on student safety and appropriate conditioning methods?
- What channels are available for students to report concerns without fear of retaliation?
School districts typically have policies that govern athletic activities, including guidelines for heat acclimatization and modifications for practices during high temperatures. The investigation likely examined whether these established protocols were followed.
The Risk of Surface Burns
According to safety experts, surfaces like asphalt and rubber tracks can reach temperatures 40-60°F (22-33°C) hotter than the ambient air temperature. On a 90°F (32°C) day, a track surface can easily exceed 140°F (60°C), a temperature at which human skin can suffer serious burns in seconds.
The termination of the teacher's contract sends a strong message about accountability. It underscores the district's position that behavior deemed harmful to students will not be tolerated, whether it occurs in the classroom or during an extracurricular activity.
Next Steps for the District and Community
With the personnel action now concluded, Warren Township schools will likely focus on reinforcing safety protocols and rebuilding trust with the community. This may involve reviewing and updating coaching handbooks, implementing new training modules for all athletic staff, and enhancing communication with parents about safety procedures.
The district has not announced who will lead the Warren Central dance team moving forward. The focus will be on finding a replacement who can provide a safe and positive environment for the student-athletes.
For the affected students and their families, the focus remains on healing and recovery. The physical and emotional impact of such an incident can be long-lasting. The district's decisive action, however, may provide a sense of resolution and reaffirm that student well-being is the highest priority.
The community will be watching closely to see how the district moves forward to ensure that an incident like this does not happen again. The cooperation with external agencies could also lead to further developments, though no additional information has been released at this time.
