Message To The CCDS Community 12-7-18

December 7, 2018
Dear CCDS Parents and Alumni,
Last August, we wrote to the entire Cincinnati Country Day School community about a report of historical educator sexual misconduct
involving a now deceased teacher who was employed by the school during the late 1960s to the late 1980s. During the summer of
2018, the matter was brought to the school’s attention by a CCDS graduate from the 1970s. Upon learning about the troubling
accusation, the school took immediate steps to conduct a full examination. We write now to provide an update on the school’s
investigation as well as express our deep gratitude and apologies to the individual whose brave actions and concern for others
launched this exploration of the school’s past.
To begin the process, a special board committee—composed of Board President Jody Brant ‘87, trustees Monica Berghausen ‘77, Nick
Recker, and Rob Zimmerman ‘98, Head of School Tony Jaccaci and other school administrators—was convened to oversee the
investigation. The committee began its work by retaining the services of an outside legal team (David Wolowitz and Susan Schorr of
McLane Middleton) with expertise in assisting schools exploring cases of historical educator sexual misconduct. McLane Middleton
then retained an external investigative firm (Updike, Kelley and Spellacy) to conduct the investigation.
In looking into the school’s past, all proceedings were guided by Country Day’s commitment to a thorough investigation as well as one
that would be highly sensitive to survivors. Accordingly, the outside investigator spoke with past and current faculty, administrators,
and trustees and conducted direct interviews with all alumni who wished to speak with the investigator about this topic. Per protocol
in cases involving sexual misconduct, the investigator refrained from contacting alumni who chose not to come forward, including
those named by others, if he or she did not reach out to the investigator or school first. The school is mindful of individuals’ privacy
and does not want to cause anyone to potentially relive past traumas.
As we reported in August, the investigation began as the result of one report involving a former faculty member. The investigator’s
work uncovered additional facts regarding that former faculty member. Furthermore, it was discovered that another former faculty
member from the 1970s may have engaged in inappropriate conduct with a former student.
In determining the threshold for public disclosure, the school contemplated the nature and extent of the allegations, the weight of
evidence supporting the allegations, corroborating information, and the existence of any current risk to students at Country Day or
elsewhere. Applying these standards to the investigator’s findings, the school has decided to identify one of the two former teachers
who was accused of engaging in sexual misconduct with students. We have refrained from naming the second former teacher who
was accused of sexual misconduct due to a lack of corroborative evidence.
1. The investigative firm received two credible allegations that former teacher Charles K. Greening engaged in sexual misconduct
with at least two students during his CCDS tenure. (Greening was employed by the school from 1967-1987. He resigned in
1987 and took his own life in 1988.) Neither of these two allegations was reported to the school prior to 2018. However, the
recent accusations were corroborated based on the interviews conducted this fall with former students and supported by
the totality of facts surrounding the allegations against Charles Greening.
In delving into these two recent allegations, the investigative firm determined that three allegations of sexual misconduct
involving Greening had been brought to the attention of the school’s leadership in the fall of 1987. These accusations came
after Greening had submitted his resignation during the summer of 1987. Upon receiving the information, the school took
additional steps, including fully separating Greening from the school.
The investigation also revealed that it is likely that there were other individuals who experienced misconduct by Greening
who chose not to come forward during this current investigation.
2. The investigative firm also received a credible firsthand report of misconduct from a former student involving a CCDS faculty
member on one occasion in the mid-1970s. Because this account was not corroborated and there were no other reports
involving this faculty member, the accused faculty member is not identified in this letter.
Although Mr. Greening is deceased and the second individual no longer works with children and resides out of state, CCDS has
reported both of these individuals to the Indian Hill Rangers and to Hamilton County Job and Families Services.
While we cannot change the past, the school is committed to acknowledging openly and honestly those times when it did not fulfill
its obligation to its students and to reaffirming its duty of care for those it is entrusted to protect. On behalf of the board of trustees
and the faculty and staff of Cincinnati Country Day School, we extend our profound apologies to those affected by the actions
uncovered in the course of this investigation. Such conduct is intolerable, and children should never have to endure such
unconscionable acts.
We hope the investigative findings offer solace and bring healing to those who have suffered. Also, we invite anyone who has
additional information they would like to share to contact Head of School Tony Jaccaci ([email protected] or 513-979-0213) or
Chris Brigham at Updike, Kelly & Spellacy ([email protected] or 203-786-8310). We are prepared to investigate any and all additional
concerns brought to our attention.
We also want to recognize all the other alumni who courageously came forward to share information about these offenses, which was
largely driven by their sense of empathy and concern for others. We have established a process to assist alumni with therapy needed
because of sexual misconduct they experienced during their time at Country Day.
Country Day has grown tremendously as an institution in the intervening decades since these events transpired, including the many
procedures put in place to protect the students in our care. Today we adhere to safety measures that help prevent inappropriate
conduct and assure reporting, and the school is uncompromising in enforcing policies that pertain to student safety. In hiring teachers,
administrators, and coaches, we commission third-party agencies to conduct both pre-employment and periodic background checks.
Student safety sessions are part of the school’s yearly employee in-service days, and we review and update student safety policies on
a yearly basis. We will continue to reflect deeply on the findings of this investigation to improve any and all safety practices in place
at CCDS. Country Day is a dynamic organization, and we must continue to grow from our experiences. (Click here to read about the
many policies and practices in place to protect our students.)
At Country Day, we are unwavering in our commitment to foster a safe learning environment where students feel known, nurtured,
and respected. It is at the heart of what guides our daily work and will continue to shape our efforts in the years to come. As always,
we appreciate your support as we seek to live up to the school’s values and ask that you contact us if you have any questions regarding
this communication or any matter that relates to student safety.
Sincerely,
Joel S. Brant ’87 Anthony T. T. Jaccaci

President, Board of Trustees Head of School
This email is also being sent by USPS mail to all current alumni addresses in the school’s database to ensure fullest communication.

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December 7, 2018

Dear CCDS Parents and Alumni,

Joel S. Brant ’87 Anthony T. T. Jaccaci

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