Copper Hills teacher on leave, parents upset about when they were told

MAGNA, Utah ( ABC4 ) — A 6th grade teacher at Copper Hills Elementary in Magna has been on leave for about a week after allegedly making “inappropriate comments” to students.

Parents from the teacher’s class spoke anonymously with ABC4 saying the comments were centered around school shootings and the kids being noisy.

“The District is aware of allegations concerning inappropriate comments made by a teacher at Copper Hills Elementary related to school safety. These comments were reportedly directed at a small group of students last week. We do not believe the teacher made a credible threat of violence against the school,” a statement from Granite School District reads. “The teacher has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of an investigation. Upon the investigation’s conclusion, the District will take any necessary corrective actions. We are unable to comment further on an ongoing investigation.”

The district tells ABC4 that the comments were made in front of a small group of students and that those parents were notified after the initial investigation. However, one parent tells us their student was one that reported the comments to the school and they were never notified.

They said, “I never heard about it. Nope. No calls, no text about it. Nothing.”

Another parent thinks they all should have been notified. “Even if a small group of children heard it, all of the children were in the room. Every parent should have been notified.”

One of the parents explained the alleged comments were made on September 11. They didn’t find out until the 18. “I think they should have said something when the teacher went on leave. Honestly. I mean, they don’t have to go out to the whole school, but at least the teacher’s class in general should have been notified that she was going on leave.”

Another concern raised was about the education the class is receiving with a long term substitute. “They’re just doing packets all day long. How is my child learning from that? He’s supposed to go to junior high next year. How is he going to do that if he’s not getting the correct education for the rest of the year?”

The district says the teacher is on leave until the investigation is over. They also say there is no credible threat of violence to the school or students.

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