Ferebee, Other IPS Staff Did Not Report Sex Allegations To Child Services

INDIANAPOLIS -- Indianapolis Public Schools Superintendent Lewis Ferebee  says employees face possible discipline for waiting six days to report allegations a counselor was having sex with a student.

Superintendent Lewis Ferebee said Friday that any employee who had knowledge of allegations against Shana Taylor would be disciplined.

“I am very disappointed. Very disappointed by the incompetence in our employees: one not reporting. But secondly, not adhering to policy and administrative procedures.”

However, a school spokeswoman told The Indianapolis Star that Ferebee himself learned of the allegations on Feb. 17, but also did not report them to the Indiana Department of Child Services. The allegations were reported six days later, on Feb. 23.

The 37-year-old Taylor was charged Wednesday with nine felony counts of child seduction and two other charges.

The Star reports Indiana law requires certain school officials to immediately report instances of suspected child abuse at their institutions to DCS or police.

On Feb. 17 the mother of a teenage student contacted William Jensen, assistant principal at Positive Supports Academy in the Eastside Longfellow Building, about her suspicions. Jensen then meet with Principal Mark Cosand, who is out of the school on medical leave, according to Ferebee. 

Other IPS staff in human resources were informed about the allegations but each one thought someone else had contacted DCS, Ferebee said. 

During the IPS Board of Commsioners "retreat" on Friday, the board approved Taylot's termination.

Last week, the IPS Board approved a $ 490,000 settlement related to a 2012 sexual misconduct case between a former student a former George Washington High School athletics director. 

WFYI News contributed to this report.