June 17, 2019

Press Release

Contact:
Scott Marshall
District Communications Coordinator
937-748-6014 (Office)
513-312-6557 (Cell)
smarshall@springboro.org

Springboro Schools Issues Statement Regarding Announcement

of Indictment Charges Against John Austin Hopkins
On the morning of June 17th, 2019 the Warren County Prosecutor’s Office issued a statement about a thirty-
six (36) count indictment that was filed against John Austin Hopkins for gross sexual imposition involving
first grade students at Clearcreek Elementary.

On Friday, March 8th, 2019, within minutes of learning of the potential conduct of Mr. Hopkins, Springboro
Schools immediately placed John Austin Hopkins on Paid Administrative Leave. On March 12th, 2019, Mr.
Hopkins submitted a letter of resignation, which was approved by the district’s Board of Education at a special
board meeting held March 13th, 2019. Mr. Hopkins is no longer an employee of Springboro Schools.

Shortly after Mr. Hopkins resigned, Springboro Schools submitted an Educator Misconduct Reporting Form to
the Ohio Department of Education’s (ODE) Office of Professional Misconduct, regarding the Ohio Revised Code
3319.31, which states, “The employee resigned because of, or in the course of, an investigation regarding an act
unbecoming the teaching profession.” The purpose of this submission by Springboro Schools is for ODE to
consider revocation of Mr. Hopkins’ teaching license.

A series of seven (7) letters and several voice calls have been distributed to the parents of Springboro Schools
throughout the course of the entire investigation process. Springboro Schools takes the allegations against Mr.
Hopkins very seriously, and will continue working with the Springboro Police Department and the Warren
County Prosecutor’s Office throughout this process.

For many families in our district, these are difficult times. Communication outreach and support is important.
The dialogue between our district parents and administration is paramount, as is the safety of every student
in our district. The Child Advocacy Center of Warren County (CAC) is offering a support/educational group for
parents. This support group is located at the Child Advocacy Center of Warren County (320 E Silver St,
Lebanon, OH 45036) and can be contacted at the following number, 513-695-3100.

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1685 S. Main St. / Springboro, OH 45066 / 937-748-3960 / www.springboro.org