Conaway Steps In

(Updated) Students at the Lincoln-Bassett School will have a new school leader Tuesday, as state and local authorities investigate why Principal Ramona Gatison allegedly failed to report an alleged sexual assault on a school trip.

Gatison (pictured) was placed on paid administrative leave Monday pending investigation into her apparent delay in reporting the alleged assault of one of her students on a school trip, New Haven public schools spokesman Chris Hoffman announced Monday.

Larry Conaway, an assistant principal at Wilbur Cross High, is now in charge of running Lincoln-Bassett, Hoffman said Tuesday.

State officials and local police are investigating allegations that a 14-year-old girl was sexually assaulted by male eighth-grade students during a school trip to Lighthouse Point Park, Hoffman said. The students all attend the Lincoln-Bassett school, which serves 330 kids in grades K‑8 in Newhallville.

The alleged incident took place on May 31, but the district didn’t learn about it until last Thursday, June 9.

Schools Superintendent Reginald Mayo said the district is cooperating with two probes by the state Department of Children and Families and the New Haven police. And the district is conducting its own probe.

“This alleged incident should have been reported to Central Office and DCF immediately,” Mayo said in a statement. ​“The district is conducting its own investigation of these serious and disturbing allegations and how they were handled. We will follow the facts wherever they take us.”

Hoffman declined to say the number of male students involved in the case. ​“Male students found to have been involved in the alleged abuse will be suspended and face expulsion hearings,” he wrote. The female student who suffered the alleged attack has been moved to a different classroom, he said.

Some but not all parents have been informed of what happened, Mayo said. He said the district would send out a letter to parents Tuesday, when a new school leader takes over as interim principal.