Dr. Brian Scriven, superintendent of the Cheltenham School District, issued a response to the charges filed against numerous Cheltenham High School football players and coaches.

Yesterday, Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office and Cheltenham Township Acting Police Chief Richard Schaffer announced that four coaches who were aware of separate assaults on school grounds have each been charged with endangering the welfare of a child and conspiracy. At least six players, four of whom are being charged as minors, were directly involved in the incidents.

District Attorney Kevin Steele said the coaches are criminally liable for the assaults because they encouraged the victim not to tell his parents after learning of the incidents.

“Cheltenham School District’s thoughts remain with the victim and their family. No student should ever experience violence or fear in a school-related setting. While no legal outcome can erase the harm that was experienced, we appreciate that after nearly a year, charges have been announced and those responsible are being held accountable through the criminal justice system,” Dr. Scriven wrote.

The indictments stem from a six-month-long grand jury investigation, during which jurors reviewed video evidence and heard testimony from the subjects involved. Dr. Scriven wrote that law enforcement and the case’s grand jury have “brought information to light and allowed the district attorney to hold those responsible through the filing of criminal charges”.

“The district’s guiding priority was, and remains, the safety and well-being of every student,” he wrote. “Every report brought to the district’s attention was addressed based on the information available at the time.”

A Title IX investigation is still ongoing. For additional coverage, you can read WHYY’s article written by 2016 Cheltenham High School graduate Kenny Cooper.

Dr. Scriven’s full response is below:

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