The Tyrone Area School District has released the following statement regarding a recent article in The Altoona Mirror concerning criticism leveled against the district regarding the hiring of former school district police officer Mark Frailey.
Frailey was arrested recently on a variety of charges for his alleged sexual involvement with a juvenile female student.
The following is the statement in its entirety from the district:
“District personnel cannot comment at this time on the charges against Mark Frailey, former Tyrone Area School District Chief of Police; However it is appropriate to comment on the school district’s hiring process in this specific situation.
“District personnel made a conscientious effort to fully investigate Mark Frailey and to perform all reference checks during the summer months of 2000 prior to hiring him. Both the child abuse history and the criminal record check were clean with no record listed.
“After Mark Frailey was hired, the office did receive an anonymous call from an individual in the Ebensburg area who made numerous accusations against Mark Frailey. The allegations from the anonymous caller led to a telephone conversation with the police chief and additional telephone conversations with several individuals who knew and had interacted with Mark Frailey. One conversation centered on his tenure in Jackson Township.
“The attorney representing Mark Frailey in a local agency hearing with the Jackson Township Supervisors shared information on the issues of contention (job related) and subsequently, faxed a written statement to the superintendent’s office that included names and telephone numbers of persons involved.
“Telephone contacts were made to those individuals who could be contacted to determine if there was any evidence of misconduct by Mark Frailey. The individuals, including the mother of one of the individuals, stated nothing improper ever occurred.
“Finally, these rumors and accusations were shared in a telephone conversation with the then Chief of Police of Tyrone Borough and former FBI agent, with the request for him to do a full background search. The allegations were ‘unfounded.’
“No one in administration has any knowledge, and there is absolutely no record, of anyone from the Vintondale area visiting the Tyrone Area School District to discuss Mark Frailey. Tyrone Area School District’s routine procedure is to investigate all accusations against any employee of the district.”
The above statement was released today by the Tyrone Area School District Superintendent Dr. William N. Miller.
Frailey, 41, a resident of Spruce Creek, is charged with three counts of felony endangering the welfare of children, three charges of corruption of minors, a misdemeanor, and a single charge of felony unlawful use of computer and other computer crimes.
According to the affidavit of probable cause filed with District Magistrate Daniel Davis in Alexandria by state police, Frailey gave special attention to a 16-year-old Tyrone High School student, and on three occasions, had sexual intercourse with the girl.
Police served search warrants at his residence and on his computer at both home and school and found e-mail and instant messages from him to the girl.
Also found were photo displays of the girl, a certificate issued to her and a birthday card.
