Pattie Price contributed to this article
Bayard Rustin High School Swim Coach Kenneth William Fuller, 47, was arrested yesterday and charged with felony sex assault and corruption of a minor.
Rustin High School is in the West Chester Area School District.
Fuller allegedly took a teenage girl who was a member of the team to a Kennett Square hotel where he gave her beer and had sexual relations on April 27 and May 2. In the latter incident he allegedly claimed to be her father to get her out of school early.
They also allegedly had sexual relations at Thornbury Park on May 4,
West Chester Area School District Superintendent Jim Scanlon has released this statement:
This is a message from the West Chester Area School District.
I am very sorry to inform you that Rustin High School Boys and Girls Swimming Coach Ken Fuller was arrested this afternoon on allegations of committing Institutional Sexual Assault, Corruption of a Minor and related charges, according to the Chester County District Attorney’s Office.
Mr. Fuller had been employed in the West Chester Area School District since the 2009-10 season as the coach for the boys and girls swimming team. He was not employed as a classroom teacher. Like all employees, Mr. Fuller had state and federal criminal history clearances and child abuse clearances before he was hired. The district had no reports of any improper conduct by Mr. Fuller during his employment with the district.
We take student safety very seriously and are cooperating fully with the District Attorney and police. Mr. Fuller has been notified that he is not permitted on school property, nor permitted access to any of our students.
We are in no means trying to be inflammatory by releasing this information to parents. We are trying to be as sensitive as possible to the students involved and impacted by this, however we would rather you hear this news from the school district first, before reading about it in the newspaper or social media. We respectfully ask for your sensitivity to this school community and privacy to the students impacted
The school district is very concerned about these charges and very much regrets any concerns they have caused students, parents, staff and our school community.
Parents who want more information about the investigation should contact Ms. Elizabeth Pitts in the Chester County District Attorney’s office at 610-344-6801. Parents may also contact my office at 484- 266-1018. We will provide counseling for students and staff.
Thank you for your support during this troubling experience.
Dr. Jim Scanlon
Superintendent of School