PERRYSBURG — An Ohio high school principal is on leave after an investigation found he disregarded students’ reports about a teacher acting inappropriately.
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Perrysburg High School principal Aaron Cookson is on a leave of absence following an investigation that found he did not report multiple claims of inappropriate conduct against teacher John Henline, according to CBS affiliate WTOL.
Superintendent Tom Hosler told WTOL Cookson requested the leave of absence through Jan. 31 and it was approved.
Hosler said the district is taking steps for Cookson to not return to Perrysburg schools.
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“This is a step forward in our commitment to ensuring that the school remains a place where students and staff members feel safe and supported. An announcement regarding the specifics surrounding the Perrysburg High School transition plan will be shared in the days ahead,” Hosler shared in a statement.
Henline is accused of inappropriately touching multiple students and having a sexual relationship with a student in the late 1990s, WTOL reported.
Complaints against Henline date back as recently as 2023.
Henline resigned on Dec. 16 and is on leave through mid-February when he intends to retire at that time, according to the district.
“The fact that in both recent student incidents, he reached the conclusion that the allegations did not occur, despite student testimony otherwise, demonstrates his conflict and/or bias in favor of Mr. Henline. Mr. Cookson acknowledged that if there was an allegation that Mr. Henline touched a student’s body he would need to report that to Human Resources, but could not then explain why he did not report the incident involving the student and the lint roller,” An investigation conducted by law firm Scott Scriven LLP says.
The district’s full statement can be read at this link.
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