Grain Valley teacher charged with 8 felony counts was first investigated by school district in 2008

GRAIN VALLEY, Mo. - The Grain Valley teacher charged with eight felony counts was first investigated by the school district four years ago. District leaders released new information Thursday in an attempt to remain transparent.

However, the 2008 report made against Matthew Nelson didn't cite a specific student or incident.

Assistant Superintendent Brad Welle reflected, “There are a lot of people who are feeling awful, thinking what should I have seen?”

He explained to 41 Action News on Thursday afternoon, the 2008 report came to the district through the Missouri School Violence Hotline. Welle said it was investigated, documented and communicated to Nelson.

However, until last month, Nelson remained in the classroom at Prairie Branch Elementary School.

Grain Valley School District leaders are using this opportunity to teach parents how to successfully report suspicious behavior or abuse claims.

“Be specific, be clear, be assertive and make sure you're being heard," Welle elaborated. “If a parent has concerns that their needs are not being met or their issues aren't being addressed, there's always another level. Bring it up the chain of command. Make sure your concerns are in writing, expect a response in writing."

41 Action News interviewed a mother on Wednesday evening who said she made an anonymous report against Nelson five years ago. Then, this year, she fought to keep her second grader out of his classroom. This woman’s older child had previously been taught by Nelson.

Welle told 41 Action News the district had only received one report of suspicious behavior prior to last month. He could not say if the one claim the district had was from the same woman we interviewed. Both tips were anonymous.

He also said that the newly enacted Amy Hester Act changed the way Grain Valley and other Missouri school districts handle abuse allegations or reports of suspicious behavior. Instead of the district being responsible for substantiating claims through an investigation, allegations should now go straight to local authorities. The process looked much different, Welle, explained, in 2008.

Nelson’s charges were doubled late Wednesday to eight felony counts including child molestation and sodomy.

Grain Valley School District Superintendent Dr. Roy Moss sent the following message to parents Thursday:

"I write you today to follow up on our commitment to keep you informed of the facts we are able to share related to the case of our teacher charged with criminal behavior against students.

Parents have inquired about any previous concerns regarding this teacher. Prior to the report made to district officials by a mother and father on January 9, 2012, one concern was brought to the attention of district officials through an anonymous report called into the Missouri School Violence Hotline in 2008. This anonymous report was forwarded to the Grain Valley School District at that time. No specific incident or student was cited. This was investigated to the extent possible given the limited information provided. The school superintendent addressed the concerns of the report with the teacher and the action was documented.

There is understandably much interest in the facts related to this case and there are processes in place to get to the facts. We continue to cooperate fully with the Children’s Division of Missouri and the Grain Valley Police Department as they conduct their investigations. We await the findings of these investigations which we understand could take weeks or longer.

We want to be responsive to any parent’s concerns or reporting of possible wrong-doing. Here are the steps we recommend when reporting a concern to a school official, based on School Board policies and procedures:
1. Complaints on behalf of individual students should first be addressed to the teacher or employee involved. Reports of possible misconduct by the teacher or employee should be taken directly to (2) below.
2. Unsettled matters from (1) above or problems and questions concerning individual schools should be presented in writing to the principal of the school. Expect a written response.
3. Unsettled matters from (2) above or problems and questions concerning the school district should be presented in writing to the superintendent (or designee). Expect a written response.
4. If the matter cannot be settled satisfactorily by the superintendent, it may be brought to the Board of Education. Written comments submitted to the superintendent or the secretary of the Board will be brought to the attention of the entire Board. The Board will address each concern or complaint in an appropriate and timely manner.

News of charges brought against one of our teachers has been difficult for our school district. We understand everyone will respond to this or any crisis in their own way. I encourage you to reach out to Dr. Brad Welle if your family has questions, concerns, or a need for other resources to assist your child during this time. Dr. Welle can be reached