The Batesville School Board has approved the hiring of an outside law firm to conduct an independent investigation as authorities continue to examine allegations of abuse at a district preschool.
At a special meeting on Wednesday, the board unanimously voted to hire RMP LLP to conduct what it described as an independent review. According to the firm’s website, RMP LLP is a northwest Arkansas-based law firm that conducts internal investigations to assess potential criminal and civil liability and to help organizations make informed decisions.
The vote came one day after the board placed Superintendent Dr. Ginni McDonald on administrative leave amid the ongoing investigation. Assistant Superintendent David Campbell was named interim superintendent.
In a statement released Tuesday, board President Scott Fredericks said the district initiated an independent review to ensure a “thorough, objective, and fair process” conducted by an external party with no affiliation to the district. He said student safety remains the district’s highest priority and that day-to-day operations will continue under Campbell’s leadership.
Authorities began investigating earlier this month after the Batesville Police Department received three reports from the Child Abuse Hotline alleging abuse at the Batesville School District preschool. Police said multiple search warrants have been executed, interviews conducted, and evidence collected and processed.
Police are preparing a full case file to submit to prosecutors in the 16th Judicial District, who will determine whether charges are warranted. The investigation remains active, and officials have said no additional details will be released because of legal confidentiality requirements.
The Batesville School District has said it is cooperating with authorities and that the employee involved is no longer employed by the district. Officials have declined to discuss personnel matters, citing confidentiality laws and district policy.
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