David Scalea, a teaching assistant at Langley High School in Virginia, was arrested after a student caught him masturbating at his desk. This incident marked the second staff member at the school to face charges for sex crimes during the academic term. Scalea was allegedly inappropriately touching himself behind the desk when the student witnessed the act and reported it to school administrators and the resource officer. He was quickly arrested and charged with obscene sexual display and contributing to the delinquency of a minor, both misdemeanors. Fairfax County Public Schools suspended Scalea without pay, and he had been a teaching assistant with the school since 2020.
Langley High School has been in the spotlight for sexual misconduct cases involving staff members. In August, a teacher and football coach, David Clay Murray, was arrested on five counts of sexual solicitation with a minor. Police caught Murray communicating with minors through the messaging app Telegram, unknowingly chatting with an undercover officer posing as a teenage girl. Murray allegedly solicited different sex acts multiple times during the conversations. His attorney claimed that Murray thought he was communicating with an adult role-playing as a teenager. The school principal sent a letter home to parents to reassure them of their dedication to making the school safe and secure.
The community response to these incidents has been mixed, with some parents expressing concern about the safety of their children at Langley High School. Lisa Durant, a mother of a Langley student, highlighted the importance of addressing the issues to ensure the protection of children. Fairfax County Schools indicated that they conduct stringent background checks as part of their hiring process, with new measures implemented for ongoing background checks for all employees. Despite the school’s efforts to address the situation, some parents remain wary of the safety measures in place to protect students from potential harm.
The arrests of Scalea and Murray have raised questions about the hiring and screening processes for school employees, emphasizing the importance of implementing thorough background checks and monitoring systems to prevent similar incidents in the future. Fairfax County Public Schools has suspended both staff members and taken appropriate actions in response to the allegations. The incidents have sparked conversations about the need for increased awareness and vigilance regarding sexual misconduct in educational settings and the importance of ensuring the safety and well-being of students.
In the wake of these incidents, Langley High School and Fairfax County Schools have reaffirmed their commitment to creating a safe and secure learning environment for students. The community response has included calls for transparency, accountability, and enhanced safeguards to protect students from potential harm. As the investigations and legal proceedings continue, the school district remains focused on addressing the concerns of parents and students, promoting awareness of reporting mechanisms, and reinforcing a culture of trust and safety within the educational community. The incidents serve as a reminder of the challenges and responsibilities that come with ensuring the well-being and protection of students in school settings.
