Huron Schools employee under investigation

HURON — Huron Schools' board of education voted in favor of the superintendent finding an independent investigator to review complaints against an employee's misconduct. Huron's school board met early Friday morning. The meeting was hosted for an executive session — a discussion conducted behind closed doors — which was then followed by a vote granting the district's superintendent, James Tatman, permission to hire an investigator. The motion was set by board member Stacy Hinners and seconded by board member Stacey Hartley. Hinners stressed the volume and seriousness of the complaints and the district's desire to understand them and appropriately address them. The board did not identify the employee under investigation by name. Hinners said the board wants an investigatory process that is objective and with integrity. Board president Jody Halter-Mast said the district's top priorities are education and the safety of its students. "We want this community to know that we are taking this very seriously," Halter-Mast said. "That's why we are taking the measures we are taking today." A second motion was made by Hinners and seconded by Hartley to schedule a meeting to discuss measures the district can implement to enhance safety. The discussion will not only focus on student-to-adult interactions, but also on all other interactions occurring within the district.