Pennsylvania State Police confirm ‘active investigation’ involving Armstrong High School

Pennsylvania State Police confirm to Channel 11 that there is an “active investigation” involving Armstrong High School in Armstrong County.

The high school released a statement, saying, “The district is aware of rumors circulating about inappropriate relationships between students and staff.”

State Police Trooper Bertha Cazy said that she could not release the nature of the investigation, but confirmed troopers were not involved in removing any teachers from the premises last week.

State police said the investigation is active, and no charges have been filed.

Parents from the district and community members tell Channel 11 that they want answers.

“Everybody has kids that go to Armstrong,” Missy Bish said. “They need to know what’s going on with their children. Should they be worried? Should they be scared? Should they keep them at home because there’s predators out there?”

“Definitely inform the parents if there is any sort of situation going on, because if I have to dig into it, it’s going to be a different story,” parent Craig Rosenberry said.

The Armstrong County District Attorney’s Office released the following statement on the situation:

“My office is aware that the PSP Kittanning barracks is investigating an anonymous tip involving allegations of alleged misconduct between staff members and former students of Armstrong High School. All allegations regarding a school district are taken very seriously by law enforcement and thoroughly investigated, as the safety of our children is of the highest priority. This remains an active investigation and no further comment can be made at this time.”

Channel 11 also reached out to the President and vice president of the School Board, Manor Township Police Department and the teachers’ union, but did not hear back.

One parent we spoke with says he’s upset to learn about an investigation from Channel 11 and not the school.

“This means I need to make a phone call…and that’s not going to be good for anybody,” Rosenberry said.

The school district went on to say in their statement that it “cannot comment on confidential personnel matters. The district has zero tolerance for any conduct that compromises student safety or well-being, and cooperates fully with our local and state law enforcement partners on any matter related to the safety of students and staff.”

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