News 12 First at Five, December 8, 2008

AUGUSTA, Ga.---It started with two, then there were four...now at least seven people are accused, directly or indirectly, in a sex scandal at Spirit Creek Middle School. The implicated range from the top down, including a principal, a former public safety officer, a graduation coach, and several teachers.

In a news conference today, Superintendent Dr. Dana Bedden called the lengthy and costly investigation an embarrassment on the school system. He apologized to the students, Richmond County staff, and the community and explained why the investigation has taken so long--News 12 first broke this story in October, and the alleged activity took place last year.

"It has taken a great deal of time," Dr. Bedden said. "People ask why it took so long. The allegations were so significant. It continued to grow, with people being accused of either knowing having knowledge or being a part of something..We wanted to take our time and be accurate as best possible."

Dr. Bedden says this all started earlier this school year, when one of the accused, English and social studies teacher Denise Ogden, sent an email to the school system using a false name. He says she sent a second email with a photo to back up her allegations. The photo allegedly showed the undergarments of one of the accused.

The investigation took more than two months, and ultimately determined that faculty and staff were in fact having sexual relations with each other on campus during school hours last school year.

In the end, Dr. Bedden says the allegations started over a scorned lover--Ogden--involved in a love triangle. Ogden, a 7th grade teacher, later resigned.

It's alleged Ogden had a relationship with public safety officer Ronnie Collins, who was later fired from the Richmond County Sheriff's Office. Dr. Bedden believes sex was going on inside the Public Safety office. He went as far as to confirm Collins kept a blow-up mattress there.

Former Spirit Creek Principal Sharon McAlevy is also accused, and she also resigned.

Dr. Bedden said neither McAlevy nor Ogden will ever be hired in Richmond County schools again.

A graduation coach, John Barksdale, was also accused. He's been given a letter of reprimand for hitting Principal McAlevy on the rear end at school and making inappropriate comments.

Another teacher, a PE coach and a special education teacher are also involved. One of them was punished with a five day suspension and letter of reprimand. The other two were given letters of advisement. Dr. Bedden says that's because it came down to what investigators could prove.

One thing is clear: Dr. Bedden says the investigation has taken a toll. "I would also apologize to them -- the students. Especially the students at Spirit Creek who had to live through this," he said. "I would apologize to the community for having to be put through this as this made national spotlight. This is not something we want Richmond County to be known for. We didn't want to be known for this at all."

While the investigation is closed, it's not necessarily over. Dr. Bedden says if more allegations or proof comes to light, more action could be taken.

As of now, only two of the seven accused remain at Spirit Creek this school year.

The investigation was not only time consuming, but costly. GBI agents were brought in to give polygraph tests in some cases. That and the time several directors, internal affairs investigators, the school attorney, and Dr. Bedden himself spent on the investigation costs money.