Riverview High Staff Member Placed On Leave After Altercation

SARASOTA, FL — A Riverview High School staff member was placed on administrative leave Thursday following an altercation with a student, according to a spokesperson for Sarasota County Schools.

"The staff member has been placed on administrative leave and is no longer at the school or able to take part in extracurricular activities," the spokesperson explained. "Sarasota County Schools Police are conducting the investigation."

In a statement, Superintendent Todd Bowden said he reviewed a video of the altercation. He also said he had received reports on the preliminary investigation from the district's interim chief operations officer and the police chief.

"As an educator, I am deeply concerned about what transpired and have asked the police department to conclude their final investigation as quickly as possible," the superintendent said. "The safety and well-being of our students and staff is vitally important to all that we do and this incident needs to be investigated and resolved immediately.”

The district spokesperson added that the student's family was immediately notified of the incident as well as the Florida Department of Children and Families. The spokesperson said a message was sent to parents of other students informing them of the altercation and the action that was taken with respect to the staff member.

"Until we assess what took place before and after the altercation, we are unable to share additional details," the spokesperson said.