Greensburg Salem superintendent addresses incident involving elementary school child

Police are investigating an incident in a Greensburg Salem elementary classroom that was reported in October, Superintendent Ken Bissell told school board members Monday.

Few details about what’s being investigated have been released.

A letter Bissell sent to parents last week notified them of an incident that came to the attention of administrators on Oct. 27.

The district hasn’t named the school where the incident was reported but has noted that the Greensburg Police Department is involved in the investigation. Nicely Elementary School is the only one of the district’s three elementary buildings that is located within the city limits.

Greensburg police Chief Charles Irvin declined to comment.

The adults involved in the investigation have been removed from the classroom and are not working with children, Bissell wrote in the letter to parents.

Bissell’s letter noted other entities involved in the investigation include the Westmoreland County Children’s Bureau and the Westmoreland County District Attorney’s Office.

Spokesperson Melanie Jones has said the District Attorney’s Office would not comment “until/if criminal charges are filed.”

Investigators are working to ensure the review of the incident is comprehensive, Bissell said.

“I want to state here for our parents and community that the administration and I are working hard to maintain the integrity of the ongoing investigation,” Bissell said. “The district will share information at the right time with the guidance of the investigating team.”

In the letter, Bissell said parents or guardians of any child in the involved classroom have been informed of the investigation.

The primary focus is on the children in the district, Bissell said, and making sure their safety, security and sense of belonging are maintained.

“I want parents to please know and understand that we will do everything to ensure our children are cared for and address any incident with fidelity and integrity,” he said.