Trustee resigns over secrecy in abuse case

Trustee Rod Giesbrecht Resigns Amid Abuse Investigation

A long-serving school trustee has announced his resignation after an investigation revealed psychological abuse by a former teacher at Sherwood School. Rod Giesbrecht apologized to the victim for being “kept ignorant” by board leadership.

Board Leadership and Safety Concerns

Giesbrecht claimed that a decision by board chair Colleen Carswell left other elected officials unaware of student safety issues. He stated he could no longer support a leadership culture that prioritized silence over transparency regarding serious abuse allegations.

Details of the Investigation

The Free Press investigation detailed how teacher David Wray isolated a young girl starting in Grade 3. Wray used his authority to groom her while others ignored the situation.

Wray kept the student inside during recess, positioned her desk next to his, sent inappropriate messages, and manipulated her parents to gain access to their home.

Police and Child Services Involvement

The girl’s parents contacted Winnipeg police after learning about the abuse. Police decided not to pursue criminal charges because the girl could not confirm if Wray had sexually touched her. Child and Family Services also investigated the case.

The parents obtained a three-year protection order against Wray after the abuse stopped, following his attempt to contact the girl again.

Response from School Division Officials

Carswell and River East Transcona superintendent Sandra Herbst stated that the division ensured Wray would not teach again upon learning of his behavior. Although Wray left the division in 2018, his teaching certificate remained valid until January 2023.

Giesbrecht’s Apology and Resignation

Giesbrecht expressed his regret after reading the Free Press article. He stated, “To the victim in the article, my sincere apology for what you endured as a student at Sherwood School.” He emphasized that he was unaware of the situation until now.

Board Meeting and Further Comments

A River East Transcona School Division board held a private meeting before a public discussion. Giesbrecht did not attend the meeting in person. After the public meeting, trustee Sheri Hanson declined to comment on the situation.

Carswell also declined to comment before entering another private meeting.

New Reporting Mechanism for Teacher Misconduct

Giesbrecht’s resignation comes one year after the province introduced an online teacher registry and complaint mechanism. This system aims to make it easier for parents to report misconduct and hold teachers accountable.