Belle Vernon teacher found dead after accusation of inappropriate conduct
A highly regarded Belle Vernon Area High School math teacher was found dead soon after learning he was put on paid leave pending an investigation into alleged inappropriate conduct with a child.
David R. Mills, 51, denied the allegations, according to his attorney, Charles LoPresti. No charges were filed. The Forward Township man was a teacher in the district since 2009. His death was believed to be suicide.
鈥淗e had a great relationship with the students. He volunteered his time to tutor before and after school. He was someone who really took the time to know the kids,鈥� said Belle Vernon Superintendent Dr. John Wilkinson.
Wilkinson was informed by the Office of Children, Youth and Families Monday afternoon that an investigation was opened after a child reported inappropriate conduct, which allegedly occurred over the summer. He said the details the agency released were limited. It was unclear whether the report was made by a student. The investigation was in its preliminary stages.
鈥淪tudent safety is my first priority,鈥� he said, so he called Mills to tell him he would be placed on paid leave, starting Tuesday, pending the results of the investigation.
Mills then called LoPresti, his friend and attorney, for 鈥渁 cursory discussion about the procedures.鈥�
鈥淗e was perfectly understandable. He was rational. He asked intelligent questions,鈥� he said. 鈥淲hat came after that was a complete shock and surprise. There were no indications of any of this.鈥�
He described the investigation as very preliminary. Law enforcement had not spoken to Mills, according to LoPresti.
鈥淚t was a mere allegation. It was unproved. There are really no specifics to it. The reaction was 鈥� this is what the process is and that蘑菇视频 how we handle it,鈥� he said.
鈥淭his didn鈥檛 have to happen,鈥� LoPresti said.
Mills was married to Allegheny County Magisterial District Judge Beth Scagline, who covers the areas of Forward Township, Elizabeth Township and the boroughs of Elizabeth and West Elizabeth.
They married in 1992 when he was starting his first career in music. The couple moved to Pennsylvania, and Mills began work as a production manager for jazz concerts for the Manchester Craftsman Guild, according to his obituary. He did not abandon music after becoming a teacher, but taught piano lessons from his home and Accent Music Studio in Pleasant Hills.
He was known for his 鈥淲all of Fame,鈥� a billboard of student athletes he kept in the back of his classroom.
鈥淗e was very loved by every one of the students. He was enmeshed with the students and supported them,鈥� LoPresti said. 鈥淭here was no one who has contacted me and expressed anything but love and sorrow for him.鈥�
A crisis team was put in place to support and counsel students and staff Tuesday, and the district was placed on a two-hour delay.
Wilkinson said he toured the schools Wednesday to check on the students.
鈥淚t蘑菇视频 a little bit quiet at the school, but the students are getting back to learning, getting back to normalcy,鈥� he said.