Stonington — The Board of Education released a letter Wednesday announcing that attorney Christine Chinni is beginning the board’s investigation into how school officials handled the allegations against former high school teacher Timothy Chokas and providing details about how students, teachers, parents and others can contact her with information.

Board members wrote that they “strongly encourage anyone with possible knowledge of an allegation of sexual misconduct by Mr. Chokas involving a Stonington Public Schools student” to contact Chinni at SPSinvestigation@chinniandmeuser.com or (860) 677-0255.

The board said that the identity of anyone who reports information to Chinni will be handled as confidentially as the person wishes and will not be shared in her final report or anywhere else without the person’s consent. The exception will be in situations where law mandates a report to government authorities or if in Chinni’s judgment, a report should be made to authorities to protect a minor from harm.

The board said it expects the investigation to take two or more months and Chinni’s final report will be made available to the community.

Elsewhere in the letter, the board stated it is “deeply saddened by the reports of allegations by students of improper conduct by a Stonington employee that may date back to 2013, or much earlier.”

The board, which agreed to hire Chinni late last month, said it has asked her to investigation the type and frequency of Chokas’ alleged conduct and how many students were affected; whether the school district maintained and followed proper policies and procedures and if not, why; whether alleged victims reported their concerns and/or complaints to school staff members and if not, what caused them not to report; whether any school climate or culture issues contributed to any deficiency in implementing policies and procedures, and/or responding to student concerns and complaints; and whether the school climate and culture has improved since the alleged misconduct occurred.

The board said Chinni will investigate specific concerns and complaints received by school officials about Chokas, investigate any new reports of potential sexual misconduct by him, review prior policies and procedures, interview staff members, and meet with any students, parents or community members who want to share personal details with her. The board said it and school officials will provide Chinni with full access to files and records.

The numerous complaints against Chokas involve alleged inappropriate touching of and making inappropriate comments to female students. Those who have spoken to The Day say the touching was pervasive, occurred daily and dates back to 2004.

But Superintendent Van Riley and high school Principal Mark Friese testified under oath that the various reports lodged against Chokas by students, referred to in school documents and emails in 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2019 and from the girls themselves, were not considered complaints but “reports” and “concerns.” This meant complaints were not placed in Chokas’ personnel file.

Chokas was never disciplined for his alleged actions. In January 2019, a female student complained to a staff member that Chokas was touching a female classmate and making inappropriate comments to her. That incident led to Chokas being allowed to resign with his full salary of $81,396 and benefits through the end of the school year. The district also agreed not to fire Chokas or disclose any information concerning his employment to anyone, except as required by law.

j.wojtas@theday.com