2 min read

WINSLOW – The School Committee will be updated tonight on an in-house investigation into teacher and coach Scott Wood, Superintendent Eric Haley said Sunday.

Wood, 38, of Oakland was charged Friday with two counts of sexual touching involving a female student under age 18, police Chief Jeffrey Fenlason said. More charges are expected, he said.

Wood teaches social sciences and coaches girls’ soccer and boys’ basketball.

“He’s on administrative paid leave and has been since a week ago Monday,” Haley said.

Haley said a parent reported the incidents that led to Wood’s arrest.

Haley, superintendent of Alternative Organizational Structure 92, which includes Waterville, Winslow and Vassalboro schools, said he has been interviewing people associated with the case as part of his investigation.

Advertisement

“I have not talked to (Wood) directly,” Haley said. He confirmed that Wood is married, with children.

Haley said the in-house investigation is nearly done.

“I have a school board meeting (tonight) and we’re having an executive session at the end of the board meeting where I’ll report on my investigation,” he said.

Winslow School Committee Chairman Ronald Whary said Sunday that the committee will at some point hold a dismissal hearing, depending on the outcome of the criminal investigation and in-house investigation.

“I’m guessing that would be at least a month away,” Whary said. “It’s a very slow process but it’s a very good process.”

He acknowledged that he is not at liberty to discuss details of personnel matters.

Advertisement

“Eventually we will have a hearing and then it will be public record,” he said. “But it’s a ways off yet.”

Police Chief Fenlason said Friday that he expects Wood to be indicted by a grand jury in July.

If convicted, Wood would face up to a year in jail for each count.

Wood was released on unsecured bond after his arrest Friday.

He started coaching Winslow boys basketball in 2002; he has coached girls soccer for 13 years, since 1998. Before that, he coached soccer in Gorham.

There was no response to a message left on Wood’s home phone answering machine Sunday afternoon.

 

Comments are no longer available on this story