A janitor at a Manchester elementary school has been banned from school grounds and arrested after a message he is accused of leaving for someone on the office phone at the school, police said.
Manchester Superintendent Matt Geary wrote to members of the school community about a "personnel issue with a second shift employee" after a "situation" at Waddell Elementary School that prompted district leaders to call police.
While Geary didn't identify the employee by name in the letter, police said they arrested Spencer Dougan, 24, of Bolton, a janitor at the school, after they were asked to investigate "a message that he left for someone on the office phone" and arrested him on a disorderly conduct charge.
"As a result of the personnel issue, this employee was not to be allowed in our schools or on school grounds," Geary said. "A photo of the person was sent to all school administrators to be shared with those who answer the doors. Additionally, I asked principals to keep students in from recess / PE in the unlikely event that the employee came onto school grounds."
Field Day events scheduled Thursday at Martin and Highland Park elementary schools still went on as planned, but Geary sent security staff from the high school to the elementary schools, including Waddell, as a precaution. After school and evening programs were held as scheduled.
"At this time the employee is in police custody and has been barred from being in school buildings or on school grounds," Geary said. "....While I did not expect the employee to attempt to come to a school or onto school grounds, I also wanted to take every precaution necessary to ensure the safety of our students and staff. I am appreciative of the support of the Manchester Police Department, Manchester Security personnel, and entire school staff."
