By RICK MILLER
Olean Star
OLEAN — An Olean High School administrator was arrested Friday on charges stemming from an incident with a student at school earlier this month.
High School principal Jeffrey Andreano was issued appearance tickets by Olean Police Friday afternoon for endangering the welfare of a minor, a class A misdemeanor, and harassment, a violation. The alleged incident occurred on Dec. 2
An administrator was placed on administrative leave on Dec. 3, by District Superintendent Dr. Genelle Morris, who did not identify Andreano as the subject of the leave.
Minutes show the Olean City Schools Board of Education voted unanimously to continue that administrative leave after meeting in executive session on Dec. 9.
Morris posted a statement to parents on Sunday that the school district “was recently made aware of an administrator’s arrest. We are cooperating fully with law enforcement consistent with our legal obligations and will continue to follow district policy, New York State law, and our contracts.”
Morris’ statement to high school families continued: “As this is both a student matter and a confidential personnel matter, and due to the ongoing legal process, I cannot share additional details. Please know the safety and well-being of your children remain our highest priorities. We are committed to maintaining a safe, supportive school environment and to handling this matter with the utmost responsibility, diligence, and transparency in accordance with the law.”
Capt. Robert Blovsky of the Olean Police Department said the charges against Andreano stemmed from a complaint regarding an incident between the high school principal and the student in early December. He declined further comment.
Blovsky, who said investigators consulted with Cattaraugus County Assistant District Attorney Sara Zaprowski before filing the charges.
The youth’s mother, in a statement to the Olean Star, said there was video of the incident taken from the school district. “He definitely put his hands on my child.”
The mother of the 14-year-old freshman said he was not being argumentative with the principal. “My son was involved in a situation with another child previously, but there wasn’t an argument or an altercation between my son and the principal, until Jeff made it that.”
The woman, who said her son is Black, said she’s received messages from different parents who claimed to have dealt with similar situations in the past. “So I guess my main reason for pursuing all of this wasn’t just to make sure my son gets justice, but it’s to make sure that he doesn’t have the opportunity to discriminate against a child again or put his hands on a child again, because it’s not OK,” she said.
The Olean Star agreed not to identify the woman or her child.
Andreano is scheduled to be arraigned Jan. 20, according to Buffalo attorney Barry Covert, who is representing Andreano, said he would have no comment on the matter.
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