“I Take Responsibility” - Superintendent Peters on Hiring Controversial Official Arrested This Week
“I Take Responsibility” - Superintendent Peters on Hiring Controversial Official Arrested This Week
Both Peters and Alege came from Hillsborough County Public Schools in Florida — where Alege was known for “toe-popping” students as a form of punishment before being told to stop.
Alege’s arrest on Monday was for forcibly massaging a minor’s foot at a Warwick gym. He resigned following the arrest.
WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW ON GOLOCAL LIVE ABOVE
“I’m still just upset. I trusted someone that betrayed that trust,” said Peters on GoLocal LIVE. “I brought someone to the community of Providence that betrayed the trust of the community.”
Peters discussed both the recent arrest — and what he knew in Florida.
“I got an email from the Warwick Police Department and it simply said they were getting ready to investigate an allegation of Dr. Alege and a situation at the gym, so I immediately called them to get as much information as they had at the time,” he said. “In less than 24 hours we put him on administrative leave.
“When we were able to get the police report, I read some of the details…apparently there’s video out there that corroborates some of the victim’s assertions. That was a deal breaker; I immediately asked Dr. Alege for his resignation,” said Peters.
Hiring in Focus
“Why don’t we be very clear — I’m accountable. As you shared, this happened over ten years ago, so through our hiring process several things happen,” said Peters. “Through that process we didn’t find any police reports, any arrests, anything in the district that was in the form of discipline. In this same district, he had been promoted twice to senior-level position, he had glowing recommendations.”
“I asked him specifically…I’m seeing this thing online, talk to me about it — we wanted to make sure we had done our due diligence but I tell you never in a million years if I would have known would I have made the hire,” he said. “But ultimately I’ve got to take responsibility. We’ve got a lot of trust to rebuild and hope that we’re poised to start that process.”