Indian Springs Releases Report On Sexual Misconduct Investigation

SHELBY COUNTY, AL - A third-party investigation into sexual misconduct by faculty members at Indian Springs School has concluded, and the school released a report this week detailing the findings - which includes confirmation of sexual misconduct allegations against five former faculty members. None of those faculty members still work at the school, and three of the five are deceased.

Indian Springs retained the law firm of Jackson Lewis to conduct the investigation into historical reports of educator sexual misconduct. This investigation began in 2017, as part of a larger national conversation about educator sexual misconduct at independent schools. Last year, Altamont School in Birmingham released a report detailing its findings on sexual misconduct between students and faculty, which was met with a backlash of criticism of the school by alumni.

Indian Springs also worked closely with David Wolowitz at McLane Middleton, another law firm with a depth of experience counseling independent schools.

"We recognize that it is important for our school and our community to address the past openly and honestly," the school's Board of Governors said in a statement Tuesday. "To that end, we are deeply appreciative of all who reached out to us and participated in the review, and we offer our most sincere apologies to those former students who were affected by misconduct that occurred during their time at Indian Springs. We hope that they and their families have felt heard and supported throughout this process."

In compiling their report, Jackson Lewis interviewed approximately 30 individuals, including current and former faculty, administrators, alumni, and other related third parties. "All of us at Indian Springs are grateful for the honesty and courage of those who agreed to participate in these interviews," the board statement said. "We recognize it must have been extremely difficult to come forward, as reliving past situations can be particularly upsetting."

The report identified five former faculty members as having allegedly engaged in educator sexual misconduct, according to the school's statement:

• The investigators found that credible evidence supports a conclusion that Leland “Lee” Watkins (faculty from 1958 to 1995, now deceased) engaged in educator sexual misconduct with multiple students. This abuse, including solicitation of sex, grooming of students, and sexual relationships with students, was reported to school officials in 2005 and was the subject of a previous investigation. In response to that investigation, Mr. Watkins, who had remained living on campus subsequent to his retirement, was permanently removed from campus.
• In response to a finding made by a previous investigatory report, John Lusco (faculty from 1966 to 2013, now deceased) was terminated and permanently removed from campus in 2013. The previous investigatory report found credible a single episode of sexual propositioning. It was subsequently alleged that Mr. Lusco engaged in other educator sexual misconduct. Jackson Lewis did not find sufficient evidence that Mr. Lusco engaged in other educator sexual misconduct.
• It was reported that Marvin Balch (faculty from 1976 to 2001, now deceased) inappropriately touched or groped students and that he engaged in other sexual misconduct with a student. Jackson Lewis found credible evidence to support these allegations, although they found no evidence that Indian Springs was aware of educator sexual misconduct when Mr. Balch was employed by the school. Mr. Balch left the school on long-term disability in 2001.
• Though a prior, limited investigation was not able to substantiate claims of misconduct, Jackson Lewis found credible support for a conclusion that a former faculty member sexually and emotionally abused students on several occasions during this faculty member’s time at Indian Springs. Jackson Lewis heard direct testimony from two witnesses about conduct that occurred several decades ago and the former faculty member has not been employed by the school since that time. Jackson Lewis attempted to contact this former faculty member at his last known address, but he did not respond to their queries. The former faculty member is prohibited from returning to campus.
• As a result of direct witness testimony, Jackson Lewis found credible support for a conclusion that a longstanding faculty member engaged in educator sexual misconduct with students while at Indian Springs. This former faculty member, who has not been employed by the school for a number of years, was accused by several former students of grooming, inappropriate texting and communications, solicitation of sex, and a sexual relationship. The investigators found no evidence that Indian Springs was aware of inappropriate behavior with students. Jackson Lewis also found that this faculty member violated appropriate boundaries, which would not be condoned today, though the behavior does not meet the definition of “educator sexual misconduct” outlined above. The former faculty member, through legal counsel, declined to be interviewed by Jackson Lewis. This person is prohibited from returning to Indian Springs.

"Again, we deeply apologize to the members of the Indian Springs community who were harmed by this misconduct, and we truly regret the pain that this misconduct has caused," said the board in its statement. "We know that nothing can erase the actions of these former faculty members."

The board said the school is taking extra steps to address this issue.

"The leadership of Indian Springs consistently strives to create and maintain a safe environment for all members of our community at all times. Throughout this investigative process, we ascertained best practices that could be implemented at Indian Springs to minimize the possibility of future educator sexual misconduct."

The school will continue to review and update its policies and procedures, and the board said it has taken the following steps on campus:

• This year, all faculty and staff members received mandatory training to help them recognize signs of educator sexual misconduct; such training will be required annually as part of the professional development program for all of our employees;
• The school is educating students about sensitive topics in an age-appropriate manner so that they can become more comfortable speaking up with questions and concerns;
• We have implemented an enhanced background and reference check for faculty, staff, and other adults living on campus;
• We are implementing an anonymous reporting system that will permit all members of the community to register any concerns via an on-line platform;
• We are working closely with the faculty and staff to ensure they understand and are up to date on mandatory reporting requirements; and
• We are reviewing any awards or recognitions bestowed upon faculty or staff members who are found to have engaged in serious educator misconduct.

"Our leadership is fully committed to following these practices and acting decisively whenever allegations of faculty or staff misconduct are brought to our attention," the board said. "As we have demonstrated, when credible allegations of serious educator misconduct are made involving a faculty or staff member, regardless of whether the misconduct is educator sexual misconduct or unprofessional conduct, that person is immediately removed from campus and not permitted to teach Indian Springs students. The allegations are then reported to the Alabama Department of Human Resources Office of Child Protective Services and/or local law enforcement, as required by law and our own policies and procedures. When such allegations are substantiated, the faculty or staff member is terminated from Indian Springs and prohibited from returning to campus. This is the process that we followed with respect to two faculty members who were terminated in recent years."