ROCKY RIVER, Ohio — A Rocky River principal accused of inappropriate relationships and messages with former high school students has resigned. Heath Horton submitted his letter of resignation last month, and Thursday night, the Rocky River School board is going to consider it.
Gigi Latorre is still processing what took place at Rocky River High School with her son.
“He was very concerned with my son; he was like a father figure for my son,” said Latorre when describing her son’s relationship with Horton.
In June, Latorre found text messages between her son and someone that went by the name "H-dawg."
“Just him, basically saying when you're coming over to drink, and he'll show bottles of liquor. Just like he's talking to a friend, like his age,” said Latorre.
According to police, the messages started in 2019, and Latorre says they continued until 2023. That's when she learned he was texting Heath Horton, who was the vice principal of Rocky River High, where her child went. She then immediately called her sister, Mayra Lattore, whose kids are also in Rocky River schools.
“I did feel betrayed. I felt bad for my nephew. I felt scared too, like, did something else happen?” said Mayra Lattore.
In 2021, Horton became the principal at Kensington Intermediate School, where, in June, he was put on administrative leave as police investigated his relationships with former Rocky River High School students.
On Thursday night, the Rocky River School board is holding a special meeting, where, according to the agenda, they will discuss Horton’s letter of resignation that was sent on Oct. 9 and received by the district on Oct. 30. For Lattore and her sister, as they and their kids are trying to move on, they want to see Horton gone.
“He needs to be removed. He needs to not work at the school system anymore,” said Gigi Lattore.
They also want parents to take this as an example to be more alert with their kids.
“Just want everyone to be aware and understand that not everything is what it seems,” said Mayra Lattore, adding they just hope the school system they are a part of will make changes to ensure the safety of their children.
“I love Rocky River. Don't get me wrong. This is my community. This is my home. We've been here for many, many years. I really do. Just want to see a change otherwise, who knows? We might have to leave it as well,” she said.
There's also been a petition circulating calling for four Rocky River school administrators to step down. The district says they are aware of it and are committed to moving forward in a positive manner.
Horton's resignation was unanimously accepted by the Board of Education at the school board meeting Thursday night.
Rocky River City School District Superintendent Michael Shoaf provided the following statement following the meeting:
On October 30, 2023, Dr. Heath Horton submitted his resignation as Principal of Kensington Intermediate School, with an effective date of October 9, 2023. The resignation was subsequently accepted by the Board of Education at a Special Meeting on Thursday, November 2, 2023. Dr. Horton’s resignation provides an outcome with 100 percent certainty and no delay.
There is no statute or other authority that permits a public school district to place an administrator or teacher on unpaid leave during an investigation of misconduct. In the realm of public education employment, whether professional teaching staff, classified staff, or administrators, the district must honor the terms specified in collectively bargained agreements, employment contracts, handbooks, and Ohio law when it comes to employment separation. The district ensures that these contractual and legal commitments are met in all instances of employee separation.
Dr. Horton concluded his paid administrative leave on October 9, 2023, resulting in the termination of his healthcare benefits on November 1, 2023. Dr. Horton is receiving the benefits to which he is contractually and legally entitled. Nothing more.
I want to thank the community for its patience during the process and understand that many of you may be frustrated by how long it took. However, I can assure you that the district followed all of the necessary legal protocols and procedures as outlined in the Ohio Revised Code to ensure due process.
Like many in the community, we share in the concern and disappointment about this situation. The district is committed to understanding what more could have been done to prevent this situation and to take action accordingly. Our district takes student safety and welfare very seriously and this commitment is exemplified in a number of ways, such as:We are committed to the safety of our students and staff and providing a healthy and productive learning environment. The district will continue to reinforce the high professional and ethical standards and expectations we have for our staff. Additionally, we are dedicated to exploring initiatives that will continue moving the district forward and meet the needs of all stakeholders.
- Annual online staff training which reviews relevant district policies and state laws.
- Criminal background checks conducted every five years for all employees.
- Rapback Program reports from the Ohio Attorney General through the Ohio Department of Education which shares necessary information between five-year background checks.
- Drug screening at time of employment for all employees, as well as random testing for employees in our transportation department.
- Annual review with certificated staff of the Ohio Department of Education’s Licensure Code of Professional Conduct for Ohio Educators.
- Buildings equipped with up-to-date safety features, including secure entries.
- The Raptor Visitor Management System that provides an added safety check of building visitors.
- McKeon Education Group mental health counseling for students and parents/guardians.
- Safe School Helpline anonymous reporting system.
- Security cameras throughout the district.
Thank you for your continued support of the Rocky River City School District.
Sincerely,
Michael Shoaf
Superintendent
