On August 31, 2020, the Kirkwood School Board of Education approved the recommendation of Encompass Resolution, LLC, a woman-owned business established in 2007 and based out of Kansas City, Missouri to conduct an independent assessment based on public and private allegations of the handling of student and staff reporting sexual abuse, misconduct and inappropriate behavior.

There were four goals: 

1)    Identify and investigate whether there have been previously unreported incidents or failures to take prompt and appropriate action in response to complaints of sexual abuse, misconduct, and inappropriate behavior.

2)    Determine whether students, staff and parents have confidence in reporting and know to whom and how they may do so.

3) Determine whether there has been appropriate follow‐through in terms of consequences and supports when complaints are substantiated.

4)    Equally important, to identify, conduct training on, and help implement strategies to promote a positive school climate and culture.

On Jan. 25, 2021, Encompass Resolution presented to the Board of Education on an initial assessment of climate and culture confidence related to handling allegations of sexual abuse, misconduct and inappropriate behavior. On June 28, 2021, they made a final presentation titled, “Independent Assessment and Investigation of Culture and Climate.” Their final report is available on the KSD website at https://www.kirkwoodschools.org/Page/9975.

The investigation by Encompass Resolution was completely independent. The Board of Education and the district received the final report on the day it was released to the public, June 28, 2021. The district fully cooperated with Encompass Resolution throughout the process.  

Encompass Resolution examined information relating to 30 accused staff members spanning five decades. Four were from the 1970s, seven were from the 1980s, ten were from the 1990s, five were from the 2000s and four were from the 2010s. It appears from the information analyzed by Encompass Resolution that 16 of these incidents were previously unreported.   

Since the report was presented and released publicly on June 28, 2021, the Kirkwood School District has been in contact with Encompass Resolution on an ongoing basis to determine if there were any pending allegations that were reported to them or investigations that required follow-up by the District. Any allegations regarding current personnel have been resolved in accordance with applicable Kirkwood Board of Education policies and laws. We have also been in contact with law enforcement with regards to any open cases or allegations; there are no active, open investigations into sexual abuse for any current staff in the Kirkwood School District.

The district will analyze the report in detail and work to ensure all recommendations are promptly implemented. Additional investigations into allegations will be conducted, where appropriate.

The Kirkwood School District takes allegations of abuse, misconduct, or inappropriate behavior very seriously.  Anyone who has information related to abuse, misconduct, or inappropriate behavior by any current or former KSD staff member should call the local police department and notify the KSD Human Resources Department.

Information or statements can be given via online form, email to human.resources@kirkwoodschools.org, or reach out to the district’s Title IX coordinators: Dr. Howard Fields, howard.fields@kirkwoodschools.org; Ms. Cindi Nelson, cindi.nelson@kirkwoodschools.org; or Dr. Matt Bailey matt.bailey@kirkwoodschools.org.