A judge today dismissed a misdemeanor charge against a Denver principal who had been charged with failing to tell authorities about an alleged sexual assault on a child at her school by other students.
Nicole Veltze, principal of Skinner Middle School in northwest Denver, had temporarily removed herself from her position after the charge was filed.
The 37-year-old principal was accused of failing to tell authorities about an incident in which a seventh-grade girl was inappropriately touched by two seventh-grade boys.
The incident occurred in December and caused consternation within the district because Veltze maintained that she was following district policy about when and how to report incidents. The district supported Veltze.
Veltze investigated the incident herself and suspended the boys in question.
The victim’s parents, however, called police, and the Denver district attorney’s office later said Veltze violated the law when she failed to alert authorities about the allegations.
Judge Doris Burd dismissed the charge, saying Veltze appropriately followed school district rules on how to handle student-on-student sexual harassment.
Denver Public Schools said Veltze, who had been assigned to work in district administration, will return to lead Skinner Middle School.
DPS attorney John Kechriotis said the district continues to work with police and the DA’s office to bring clarity around reporting issues.
Superintendent Michael Bennet would not comment on the case, other than to say: “I’m glad that Nicole will go back to her school and finish the important work she started at Skinner Middle School in supporting our kids and teachers.”
Jeremy P. Meyer: 303-954-1367 or jpmeyer@denverpost.com
