South Lewis Central School teacher arrested for forcible touching www.privateofficer.com
LOWVILLE NY Sept 8 2012 — A South Lewis Central School District teacher was arrested Thursday for the alleged forcible touching of two individuals, ages 17 and 26.
Village of Lowville Police arrested Arthur J. McCall, 45, 5326 Dayan St., after an investigation following an Aug. 25 incident at his residence. The incident was reported to police Aug. 30.
The names and sex of the victims are being withheld to protect their privacy, according to Police Chief Eric C. Fredenburg.
Mr. McCall is employed by the South Lewis school district in the music department.
Though the alleged incident was said to have not occurred on school grounds, South Lewis Superintendent Douglas E. Premo said Mr. McCall “has been placed on administrative leave until the school district has a chance to review this matter.”
Mr. McCall officiates Frontier League swim meets and is the founder and coach of the Turbines swim club in Lowville. He is the director of the Lowville Village Band and Lowville Jazz Orchestra.
Beaver River Central School District employed Mr. McCall as the modified boys swim coach in the 2010-11 school year. When the program was slated to be cut for budget constraints the following season, parents of swimmers raised funds to allow the team to return. Mr. McCall returned as a volunteer coach for the boys modified and varsity teams.
This past week, Mr. McCall was notified via letter he would not be allowed to return to the school, following a lawsuit he filed against the swim team parents, suing for his expenses as a volunteer coach.
“Parents raised that money for the kids. As a volunteer, he knew there would be no financial reimbursement,” said Beaver River Superintendent Leueen Smithling.
“We were appalled, “ she said to find out about the suit. “Who does that to kids?”
Mr. McCall’s Sept. 6 arrest is the second sexually-related charge against a South Lewis teacher in the past year. Bryan F. Barney, 34, a former South Lewis teacher and coach was charged with one count each of second-degree rape and second-degree criminal sexual act in August 2011 by the Lewis County Sheriff’s Department after allegedly having sexual relations with a child under age 15.
Mr. Barney committed suicide in his Fort Covington home the day following his release on bail.
Source:watertown daily times
