SARASOTA, FL (WWSB) - A Sarasota High School staff member has been fired and the assistant principal reassigned following an investigation by the Sarasota Sheriff's Department into a video showing the staff member dancing inappropriately with a student.
According to a report from the Sarasota County sheriff's office, an investigation was launched after video of a 17-year-old Riverview High student drinking a "possible alcoholic beverage" while an adult danced on a counter top above the student, was brought to deputies by Riverview officials. Administrators were concerned that there might be an inappropriate relationship between the student and the adult.
Deputies were able to determine that the video was shot at a party, located at the home of the Sarasota High School assistant principal.
Rowena Short, 39, registrar at Sarasota High School was the adult shown dancing with the student, according to the Sarasota Sheriff's office.
The video shows Short bump the student in the head with her butt as the caption on the video says, "my girl."
When deputies spoke with the student, he stated that he did not know Short or know who’s house the party was held at. He said he found the party using the 941party Snap Chat app and took an Uber there.
The student also said that there was not a relationship between him and short and that he could not remember who gave him the alcohol because he was intoxicated.
The mother of the teen was informed by deputies of the incident and said she had spoken with her son about the party. According to the report she also stated that she saw the video and thought that it "was a stretch" to think that the two were in a relationship and that she did not want to take any further action.
According to the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office, the incident is no longer under investigation and further action will not be taken by law enforcement.
The School board of Sarasota County launched their own investigation into the incident and said in a press release that the assistant principle has been reassigned.
"At this time, the AP, who has been employed with Sarasota County Schools since July, 2014, has been reassigned and is not currently working with students at Sarasota High School."
Short, who was in her probation period with the school has been terminated.
"Ms. Short is employed as a classified employee and as such, is subject to a 6-month probation period where she may be dismissed with or without cause during that time. Given Ms. Short’s brief tenure with the district, she has been released from Sarasota County Schools."
Sarasota County Schools says their investigation is ongoing.
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