The Barrington School Department is investigating a teacher in the district and comments he allegedly made in front of students.

School officials sent out an email to Barrington High School families on Friday morning, April 12, regarding a technology department teacher. The email stated that a student at the school alleged misconduct by the teacher.

“Following our District’s protocols, we immediately initiated a Title IX investigation,” stated the email written by Superintendent of Schools Michael Messore. “It is important to note that this is being investigated and there has been no finding of wrongdoing.”

He is believed to be a first-year teacher at the high school. 

The Barrington Police Department also investigated the situation. According to Barrington Police Chief Michael Correia, a school official contacted the department on Monday, April 8, and filed a report about the teacher allegedly making inappropriate comments in front of multiple students over the course of a month. 

Chief Correia said the teacher's comments included prom dress styles and the sexiest foreign language accents. Police said the allegations did not appear to be criminal.

The school district’s Title IX investigation into the teacher's conduct is ongoing. Police said school officials also shared information with the School Resource Officer and the state DCYF.

“Barrington School District has a zero-tolerance policy for any form of discrimination, harassment, or misconduct. We take any allegation seriously, and are taking steps to ensure this investigation is thorough and complete,” Messore wrote. “We are following a process that addresses this situation both appropriately and in accordance with the law. The safety of our students is our top priority.

“I understand that this news may be concerning. Our school psychologists and counselors are available to any student who would like support during this time.”

Name released

School officials offered a brief explanation of why they released the teacher’s name in the Friday morning email.

“Our letter to the high school community ensured we were transparent, communicating the availability of support through our psychologists and counselors, and providing a clear path for related information for our investigator. This is an active Title IX Investigation and I cannot provide more details at this time,” Messore wrote to the Barrington Times after the email went out to the school community. 

Officials confirmed that the district followed the advice of legal counsel in releasing the teacher’s name. 

Stephanie DeSilva Mandeville, the communications director for the state teachers’ union, would not comment on the investigation, but did share some reaction on the release of the teacher's name. 

“I have no comment on specifics, but I will say: Naming individuals who are the subject of an investigation was not done in the past, and we think it’s a terrible practice and totally inappropriate,” Mandeville said. 

Editor's note: Based on the information that is available at this time. the Barrington Times has decided to not identify the teacher who is the subject of the Title IX investigation. This story has been edited from an earlier version.