#MeToo is alive and well in southeastern Connecticut schools. First it was Norwich Free Academy, then New London Public Schools, and now Stonington High School. It isn’t surprising that schools become microcosms of our wider community and national problems, but it's heartbreaking.

The failure of so many adults, in this case Stonington Superintendent Van Riley and Principal Mark Friese, to act swiftly when harms were brought to their attention, is egregious. Without a doubt they should be on administrative leave. Their failure to document Chokas’ assaults on students over the course of years is a disgusting abdication of responsibility. And because of this dereliction of duty, Chokas was able to resign with full pay. Where is Timothy Chokas now?

A leader deserving of respect is Stonington Board of Education member Alisa Morrison, who has called for an independent investigation from the beginning. Thankfully, she is now joined by Jack Morehouse and Heidi Simmons. The epidemic of sexual violence in our county isn’t unique, nor is our failure to address the real underlying causes: a culture of sexism and misogyny. We need more leaders, like Morrison, who stand for justice in the face of power.

Kris Wraight

New London