Wheatland-Chili Central School District
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
Updated – July 15, 2024
Wheatland-Chili Central School District created a webpage promoting Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives throughout their schools. The district claims that they are:
“Committed to creating and embracing an environment that celebrates the diversity and uniqueness of every student, faculty, staff and community member. We will foster true connection in an authentic, student-centered, inclusive culture where all voices are lifted, valued, and all inequitable barriers are removed.”
To aid in this pursuit, they have attached various links for community members to interact with, such as a page highlighting the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee created in October 2021. This committee is comprised of students, staff, and family members who create a core committee and five subcommittees that study and report on specific issues. These five subcommittees oversee Data Systems, Workforce Diversity, Multi-Tiered Systems of Support, Curriculum and Instruction, and Family Engagement/Student Voice.
The district also established a student club called Students Together Against Racism at both T. J. Connor Elementary and the Middle/High School. At these clubs, students will build “strong connections and engage students in conversations on race, racism, anti-racism, injustice, privilege and…[will] increase students’ cultural competency to encourage them to stand up to injustice.”
Published – July 2, 2024
Wheatland-Chili Central School District formerly employed a substitute who is currently facing charges for allegedly touching three elementary students inappropriately. On March 3, 2023, the district notified the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office that elementary students reported being touched inappropriately on the outside of their clothing by Robert Petit on four separate occasions during the school day.
However, there had been a significant delay in informing the community, to which the sheriff issued a statement:
“The sheriff acknowledges that the delay of over twelve months in this process of notifying the public is unacceptable. We have created a tracking mechanism so that we can follow through with our public safety partners so that an announcement can be made as soon as legally possible.”
To follow in explaining the delay, District Attorney Sandra Doorley of Monroe County explains:
“Child sexual abuse cases are challenging in many ways. Because of the dynamics of child sexual abuse, they are not quick investigations or prosecutions. Our office uses the child first method of handling all cases, ensuring that we put the victims first. It is not our policy to rush or push a victim of child sexual abuse into testifying before they are ready both emotionally and mentally”
Unfortunately, it was discovered in a Twitter post that Petit had also been employed at Spencerport Central School District, Webster Central School District, Arc of Monroe, and Geneva Central School District.
Deputy Brendan Hurley, the Public Information Officer of Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, released in a statement that:
“Robert W. Petit, 40, of Chili is charged with:
- Sexual Abuse in the First Degree (Class D-Felony – 11 counts)
- Endangering the Welfare of a Child (Class A-Misdemeanor – 6 counts)
Petit was arraigned in NYS Supreme Court and remanded to the Monroe County Jail on $500,000 cash.”
Wheatland-Chili Central School District is located in Scottsville, New York and contains two schools with approximately 688 students.
