Protect ACPS Students: Demand Accountability and Transparency Following Swiney Indictment

Nathan Szejniuk

I am not a Hollymead parent and I sign in solidarity as a grandparent who has had and again have grandchildren attending school in the district. I wrote this prompt to do an AI search: How many teachers school officials commit sexual crimes against children by year since 2020 by state? The answer was interesting: "There is no single national database that tracks teacher sexual crimes against children by year and state. Happens other Virginia: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XGKDgsZGZQ&t=1s.

Cynthia Hash

Protecting our children from potential threats of any kind is of paramount importance. Pedophiles are especially important to keep away from our children because it will ruin a childhood, which I can personally attest to. They are very sneaky and often extremely good at fooling everyone.

Diane Weber

Will Mr. Swiney ever be brought to justice in Albemarle County for the harm and life-long damage he has done to our children? Will the School Board side with Mr. Swiney and not the children he has harmed? What kind of School Board do we have, anyway? We can be quite sure that this will be swept under the rug and the criminals in our education establishment will be protected. NOT our children. You will all do nothing. Guaranteed.

mason pickett

Many things in our area need the trash taken out and our school board is a major example except for one Many groups in our area need the trash taken out and our ACSB is a major one except for one member.

Shelly Arnoldi

Everything that controls APCS & FCPS is wrong.

Jilly Kavanagh

LFG 🔥

Hank Martin

As a student in Albemarle County Public Schools from 1969 to 1981, I found it unsafe—experiences that still affect me daily. Decades later, from 1996 to 2015, I returned as a parent and found it even more frustrating. During that time, I warned principals and officials about three teachers exhibiting predatory behavior toward children. My warnings were dismissed, with one middle school principal even telling me my views were an "anachronistic throwback to a bygone era."And now- here we are.

Phil Riese

As a Hollymead parent, I am disgusted that ACPS continues to withhold information from parents. Why hasnt the School Board initiated an independent third-party investigation to find out how these allegedly sexual assaults were allowed to happen. What are they trying to hide?

Julia Mills

It is more important than ever to protect young and vulnerable students and all students in this district. Parents, students and the community are owed a far better explanation as to the events occurring at ACPS beyond what we are receiving. Bad actors will not stop bad actors. External review is needed and honest replies to the questions listed.

My kids go to this district and I am furious. How did nobody know what was happening right under their noses? We need some real answers because right now I dont trust a single person in charge.

Supporter

A thorough investigation is the only way to correct the future.

Shannon Castaneda

Hollymead Elementary School teachers that worked with my special needs daughter for 2 yrs failed me and my daughter from 2024 - 2026. This school system has lacked affective communication, training, transparency, and accountability. I've made this clear what they lack after the incident that put me and my daughter through. I pray this latest incident is an eye opener for some positive changes to be made!

T J

I am signing as a Hollymead parent because student safety cannot depend on silence, delayed communication, or vague reassurances. Families deserve a clear timeline, full accountability, and immediate safeguards to ensure that no child is ever placed at risk because adults failed to act quickly, transparently, or responsibly. Protecting children must come before protecting institutions.

Jennie Garnett

Dealing with things internally is how they continue to happen.

Recipe is fell they should grant this position

I’d like be informed as my daughter is albemarle elementary student and sees social workers I would like be on list informed if my daughters name on any list Last name :Hatch-Rhoten

Today I submitted a formal records request to the ACPS FOIA Officer ([email protected]) under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act. If anyone would like to send their own, I'm happy to share my email template — just ask. What it asks for: 1. Mr. Swiney's exact positions, job classifications, and start/end dates at Woodbrook, Hollymead, and EDEP — this is non-exempt data ACPS must release by law. The dates alone will show whether he left Woodbrook mid-year, when, and under what title he was rehired at Hollymead. 2. The SEL Coach position description. 3. Policy GBEB (Staff Conduct) and any ACPS policy governing one-on-one staff-student interactions behind closed doors — if no such policy exists, ACPS will have to say so in writing. 4. Any written request from ACPD or the Commonwealth's Attorney asking ACPS to stay silent from January to June 4. If that document exists, the district can clear itself by producing it. If it doesn't, the five months of silence was a choice. 5. All complaints or concerns about Mr. Swiney received by ACPS, Woodbrook, Hollymead, or EDEP before January 2026 — from parents, staff, or anyone else. 6. All records of any report ACPS made to CPS or law enforcement about Mr. Swiney before January 2026. 7. Any separation, transfer, or settlement agreement between ACPS and Mr. Swiney, including anything related to his departure from Woodbrook. On items 5–7, ACPS will likely claim the personnel exemption. That's fine — here's why these questions still work: under § 2.2-3704(B), if no records exist, ACPS must say so in writing. If records exist but are withheld, ACPS must describe their volume and subject matter and cite the specific exemption. "No complaints ever existed" and "complaints exist but we're withholding them" are two very different answers — and the law forces the district to pick one, in writing. Why this matters: ACPS has said it "cann

do better for our kids!

I am an ACPS alum, and now parent. The quality a d safety slippage of ACPS in recent years is nothing short of alarming. A full independent review, with actual consequences for those who acted inappropriately or failed to act, is absolutely necessary. I believe in the value of a public school education. But, this is becoming an alarming pattern, and the lack of transparency and accountability are huge problems; problems that have me second-guessing our plans for our children who are not yet school aged.

I understand that there are rights that have to be protected of the accused. However, full transparency is needed when dealing with children. Their rights and their safety are paramount.