Lakewood Schools Employee Charged with Sexual Battery

[Jim O'Bryan]

The Lakewood City Schools has been informed by law enforcement that one of our employees, Lakewood High School Band Director, Nathan Harris, was charged today in Rocky River Municipal Court with one count of sexual battery in connection with a student.

The district is fully cooperating with law enforcement and is taking swift and decisive action to ban the employee from school property and from any communication with students and staff, pending an investigation. Per standard protocol, the employee has been placed on administrative leave during the investigation.

“Our thoughts are with the student and the student’s family,” said Superintendent Jeff Patterson. “We will be working with them to provide appropriate counseling and support services as needed and we will provide services to any other student who may need counseling and support as well.”

Professionals will be on hand to offer students counseling and support on Thursday, June 12, and Friday, June 13, from 8:30 a.m-3:30 p.m. in Lecture Hall 2 at Lakewood High School.

District officials will be conducting its own investigation of the employee and taking all appropriate steps to ensure the safety and well-being of all of our students.

We encourage students to cease any contact with the Lakewood High Band Director at this time and for students and parents to report any concerns they may have to Dr. Christine Palumbo, Director of Student Services, 216-529-4201.


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[Jim O'Bryan]

It is my understandong after talking with a couple people that Lakewood High School Band
Director, Nathan Harris was arrested early today in MetroParks. A ranger stopped by a
suspicious car, when the ranger saw Harris having sex in the backseat of his car.

Upon further investigation by the Ranger, the male was deemed underage, and a possible
student of Nathan Harris. Mr. Harris was taken to Rocky River Police station and booked on
sexual battery with a minor.

Lakewood High School, and the Lakewood Board of Education were shocked by the news,
and are now asking other parents or students that might have had "improper" exchanges
with Nathan Harris to come forward to help in the investigation.

The school board member I spoke with was nearly in tears, over the poor kid and his family.


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[Ryan Salo]

This is terrible news. My daughter did find it odd that Mr. Harris would tell the students he was bi-sexual and talk about relationships he had. He seemed to try really hard to make them friends. I sure hope there aren't any other victims. If these accusations are true I am confident those he serves time with will take care of him appropriately...

Thoughts and prayers for the victim and their family.

[Jim O'Bryan]

This is terrible news. My daughter did find it odd that Mr. Harris would tell the students he was bi-sexual and talk about relationships he had. He seemed to try really hard to make them friends. I sure hope there aren't any other victims. If these accusations are true I am confident those he serves time with will take care of him appropriately...

Thoughts and prayers for the victim and their family.

Ryan


These are not accusations, he was caught in the act in Metro Parks.

The Schools are asking anyone with information to come forward.


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[Danielle Masters]

My kids love him. He was a great band director. We knew he was gay, it was never an issue with my family, my kids are devastated. According to my kids he was never inappropriate with them and never said inappropriate things about his sexuality. I think it's a bit early to be calling him a predator especially when we were not there and do not know the full extent of the situation. My heart is heavy.

Sadly though the message my kids are getting is that people are cruel. The comments online are disgusting. I am just flabbergasted.

[Betsy Voinovich]

Here is the update from Lakewood High School Principal, Keith Ahearn, that went out to band parents this week. It sounds like everyone is coming together to get back on track for this year.

Betsy Voinovich


Dear Ranger Marching Band Parents:

I know you and your child have been coping with the news of Nathan Harris’ arrest last week. I hope that you were able to utilize our counseling and support services if you felt the need. It is a shock to all of us, yet we must move forward with plans for the first Band Camp session, which is set to begin June 23rd.

Former Harding Band Director Brian Griebel has agreed to join Assistant Marching Band Director John Blasko in running Band Camp (I), (June 23rd-27th; June 30th-July 3rd). Mr. Griebel has decades of experience directing bands and has continued to support our band students since his retirement two years ago. You have probably seen him at a number of your child’s concerts.

Together, I am sure Mr. Griebel and Mr. Blasko, along with our auxiliary advisers for Rangerettes, Flags and percussion, will provide an environment that will allow our band members to get their minds back on making music and representing the Lakewood Ranger Marching Band with pride!

Field commanders and section leaders will have an organizational meeting Friday, June 20th in the LHS Band Room from 3:30pm-5:00pm.

All band students and their parents are invited to attend an open meeting at 5:30pm in the Civic Auditorium. At this meeting, more information will be shared about Band Camp (I) and registration forms will be available for both camps. Band Camp (II) will run (Aug. 4th-8th, Aug. 11th-15th).

We will also have the opportunity to discuss the future of the Ranger Marching Band program and take questions and hear concerns from both students and parents. Counselors will be available this evening.

Please feel free to get in touch with John Blasko at (216-227-5701 ext. 8409#) with any questions or concerns you may have.

I thank you all for your continued support of Lakewood High School and our music program.

Sincerely,
Keith Ahearn
Principal, Lakewood High School

[Betsy Voinovich]

Here is the update from Lakewood High School Principal, Keith Ahearn, that went out to band parents this week. It sounds like everyone is coming together to get back on track for this year.

Betsy Voinovich


Dear Ranger Marching Band Parents:

I know you and your child have been coping with the news of Nathan Harris’ arrest last week. I hope that you were able to utilize our counseling and support services if you felt the need. It is a shock to all of us, yet we must move forward with plans for the first Band Camp session, which is set to begin June 23rd.

Former Harding Band Director Brian Griebel has agreed to join Assistant Marching Band Director John Blasko in running Band Camp (I), (June 23rd-27th; June 30th-July 3rd). Mr. Griebel has decades of experience directing bands and has continued to support our band students since his retirement two years ago. You have probably seen him at a number of your child’s concerts.

Together, I am sure Mr. Griebel and Mr. Blasko, along with our auxiliary advisers for Rangerettes, Flags and percussion, will provide an environment that will allow our band members to get their minds back on making music and representing the Lakewood Ranger Marching Band with pride!

Field commanders and section leaders will have an organizational meeting Friday, June 20th in the LHS Band Room from 3:30pm-5:00pm.

All band students and their parents are invited to attend an open meeting at 5:30pm in the Civic Auditorium. At this meeting, more information will be shared about Band Camp (I) and registration forms will be available for both camps. Band Camp (II) will run (Aug. 4th-8th, Aug. 11th-15th).

We will also have the opportunity to discuss the future of the Ranger Marching Band program and take questions and hear concerns from both students and parents. Counselors will be available this evening.

Please feel free to get in touch with John Blasko at (216-227-5701 ext. 8409#) with any questions or concerns you may have.

I thank you all for your continued support of Lakewood High School and our music program.

Sincerely,
Keith Ahearn
Principal, Lakewood High School

[Scott Meeson]

Update: Retribution, Incapacitation, Deterrence and Rehabilitation.

http://fox8.com/2014/11/13/former-band-director-gets-jail-time-for-having-sex-with-student/

[Grace O'Malley]

I'm sorry but I don't believe a six month sentence is sufficient. According to the story, he texted with the boy for several months prior to the day he was caught having sex with him. That means he had plenty of time to think about what he was doing and choose to continue or stop the behavior. This sentence is a slap on the hand and an affront to reasonable people.

[Danielle Masters]

The family though wanted no jail time for him, they didn't feel it would accomplish anything. I think they know more than all of us about the situation. I do wish the judge would have listened to their wishes. Jail time won't do anything to fix this.

[Scott Meeson]

I do wish the judge would have listened to their wishes. Jail time won't do anything to fix this.

The judge did listen... then he looked at the facts. I don't know, did we (the public) ever really know Nathan Harris? The most basic of understanding was violated with this teacher: don't do anything that violates the public trust. After all, don't we all have a vested interest in justice being served?

[Danielle Masters]

There is justice and then there is vengeance. He will be listed as a sex offender, he will never teach again, he has five years probation, and he paid a fine. In the end his life as he knew it is over, I truly think that is justice enough. Justice is certainly being served. The 6 months in jail will do nothing to help, it will not change anything, and I do think in this case it was too much. I say this as a parent who thought I knew this man well, this man taught my boys both of whom were close to him so please don't think I take this lightly. Justice could be served without the jail time that the parents didn't want. I have to wonder what the jail sentence will do not necessarily to Mr. Harris but to the young man involved, there has to be a reason why the parents didn't want jail time, why they felt it wasn't necessary and why they felt it would accomplish nothing.