Charlotte Parents Alarmed as School Administrator Arrested
Charlotte, NC – Parents of students at a well-known private school were left in shock this week following the arrest of an administrator on serious allegations of misconduct. Scott Waybright, the Assistant Head of School at Charlotte Country Day School, was taken into custody on Friday, facing 10 felony counts of peeping.
What Happened
The situation escalated when a student reported to a teacher that Waybright had taken pictures of her at school in 2023. After being informed, the teacher promptly reported the incident to the administration. Although Waybright’s work phone was confiscated, no incriminating evidence was found at that time. The teacher, feeling that the school’s response was inadequate, later pursued the matter further, leading to heightened scrutiny of Waybright’s actions.
Investigation Uncovers Disturbing Evidence
In light of the concerning allegations, the school hired a private investigator to examine Waybright’s phone thoroughly. This investigation revealed hundreds of images focused on women’s legs and backsides. Particularly alarming was the discovery of 10-12 images of students stored on Waybright’s laptop. After working at the school since 1995, Waybright was terminated on December 2nd.
Further investigations by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) did not stop there. Officers later confiscated Waybright’s phone and laptop again and discovered videos, including recordings of a woman in shorts while grocery shopping. Such findings have left parents, like Ashley Anderson, feeling unsettled. “He has been there so long. So I feel like we did trust him with our kids,” she expressed.
Previous Allegations and Response
Adding to the troubling narrative, an incident from 2017 resurfaced during the investigation. On that occasion, a husband had reported that Waybright had photographed his wife in the school library. Despite conducting a search of Waybright’s phone, the investigation at that time did not yield any evidence of wrongdoing.
In a letter sent to parents, David Mancos, the Interim Head of School, acknowledged the previous allegations but asserted that he was unaware of any claims made in 2023 until just before Thanksgiving. “I immediately initiated a full investigation when I learned of these concerns,” Mancos stated in the communication.
A Broader Pattern of Concerns
Parent anxiety has reportedly intensified with the recent arrest of the school’s track coach, Matthew Elliott, who faces charges related to inappropriate relationships with students. Parent Ashley Anderson articulated the collective dismay, saying, “Every day we get more information regarding this case or the track coach, and it starts to feel overwhelming as a parent.”
Steps Forward
The school has expressed its commitment to enhancing student safety. Parents were informed that modifications to current safeguarding policies are underway. Mancos shared in his letter, “We are reviewing and strengthening our approach to safeguarding our students…”
Next Steps for Waybright
As the legal proceedings continue, Waybright’s attorney appeared in court on his behalf earlier this week. He is expected to return to court on New Year’s Eve for the next phase in this troubling case.
Conclusion
The community is on high alert as both the school administration and law enforcement continue their investigations. Parents are left grappling with their trust and the safety of their children within the educational environment.
