Former Sheridan principal pleads not guilty to failure to report abuse charges

NEW LEXINGTON - Former Sheridan High School principal Chris King pled not guilty Thursday to one count each of failure to report a crime and failure of duty to report abuse.

King was investigated by the Perry County Sheriff's Office for his alleged failure to report the sexual assault of a female student, a letter to King from Northern Local Superintendent Tom Perkins essentially gave King the option to resign or face termination proceedings.

The assault is said to have happened away from the school campus with the victim also apparently being subjected to bullying by her alleged assailant, according to the letter from Perkins.

The female student had discussed the incident with a guidance counselor, with that information then later being provided to King.

Perkins letter to King said "You were duty-bound to make a report if you had reasonable basis to suspect the abuse of I child." The letter continues with "Not only did you fail to report, but you also failed to recognize and appropriately act with respect to your obvious conflict of interest in assessing the strength of the evidence against and what should be done with respect to the perpetrator of the assault and bullying."

King, who was also the varsity wrestling coach, resigned from both positions March 16. King's resignation letter stated "I have greatly enjoyed and appreciated my long tenure with Northern Local." The letter also says "I take much pride in that Sheridan High School has maintained high standards of excellence with greater education standards under my leadership."

Perkins has previously stated that the guidance counselor is likely to be subjected to internal discipline from the district, whether the guidance counselor will also be subjected to criminal charges is not known.

King, as a school administrator, is required by state law to report child abuse or neglect to the proper children services or law enforcement agency.

Both of the charges filed against King are fourth degree misdemeanors that carry a possible 30-day jail sentence and $250 fine. King appeared in county court where he entered a not guilty plea to both counts and his bond was set at $500 with a June 23 trial date.