HOLLAND, Ohio — A Springfield Local Schools teacher was terminated after making alleged inappropriate contact with students.
In an email to parents on March 18, superintendent Matt Geha said there were allegations against a substitute teacher, later identified as Roger Perry, at Holloway Elementary School on Friday, March 8.
The district said it started an investigation immediately and did not assign the teacher to a classroom in the district after that date.
By Wednesday, March 13, officials said the teacher’s contract was terminated.
In a personnel file for Perry obtained by WTOL 11, an incident report said "video evidence shows that he touches many students in a very short amount of time -- on the shoulder, the back, the neck and the face several times."
The report also said Perry "picked up a coat/sweatshirt and tucked it into the lap of a third-grade student and then rubbed her shoulder and back."
According to the incident report, a parent called the school to report that Perry encouraged their child to call him "Mr. Pickle," "Mr. Panda," or "Mr. Flamingo." The student reported that Perry patted their head repeatedly and then rubbed his thigh and groin area.
The district received statements from over a dozen students.
Reports of Perry touching students and making them "highly uncomfortable" go back as early as May 2023, according to an email within the personnel file.
Geha said the district is working with the Ohio Department of Education’s Office of Professional Conduct, as well as with law enforcement.
MORE FROM WTOL 11: