CRESTLINE — A Crestline teacher who is under investigation with local law enforcement also is the subject of an internal investigation within Crestline Exempted Village Schools.
Cory Forshaw, who served as a fifth-grade teacher at Crestline Elementary School during the 2018-19 school year, is the subject of an investigation after a Crestline student’s parent contacted local law enforcement with a complaint.
While the Crestline Police Department, led by Chief Jeff Shook, investigates a potential sexual battery case involving a male student, Crestline EVSD Interim Superintendent John Miller also is conducting his investigation.
His investigation includes the accusation of improper messaging with a complaint dating back to 2016.
He said the two separate investigations may cause confusion on the purpose of Forshaw’s leave.
“I think it gets muddled,” Miller said.
Miller said he is trying to locate information on the reported messages. Miller also noted comments on some of Forshaw’s evaluations from 2011 and 2012, which said Forshaw had “a very informal manner with his students in the past this has caused some concerns.”
Miller said there are no records where anyone brought those comments up further after the fact.
During the school’s investigation, Forshaw has been placed on paid administrative leave May 22 until the matter is resolved, according to Miller.
According to a letter given to Forshaw, which was obtained through a public records request, Forshaw was to be at his residence and available to be contacted by the school. Miller said that requirement will be lifted after the last teacher work day.
“There’s a misconception that someone on leave can do whatever they want and get paid and that’s just not true,” Miller said. “I have always seen it as a reassignment where the employee works from home. They are still on the clock and need to be available.”
Miller said employees on leave still are required to perform acts such as creating lesson plans for substitute teachers.
Shook said there is no legal restrictions currently on Forshaw.
Miller said the priority of the investigation is the well-being of the students.
“As a professional school district, we are just as concerned as the parents are concerned,” Miller said. “In our business, it’s common to refer to them as ‘our’ students or ‘our’ kids.”
Miller said he will continue with his investigation until incoming superintendent Matthew Henderson takes over.
Henderson begins his new position Aug. 1 but has a bridge contract for 20 days prior to work alongside Miller in a transitional period.
Miller said the district also is an active part of the CPD investigation.
“People aren’t just sitting back in lawn chairs for the summer waiting for this to pass,” he said. “These things take time.
“These things are solved in an hour on Law and Order, but there’s a process to this.”
Miller added the third player in the investigation is the Crawford County Prosecutor’s Office.
Shook said no formal charges have been brought against Forshaw, and if or when any charges are brought forward, it will be a mutual decision between CPD and the prosecutor’s office.
Currently, Shook is waiting on evidence to be evaluated by the Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
“We are doing our due diligence to ensure we have all the information,” Shook said. “We have an uncharged suspect who is afforded his due process.”