Norwich Free Academy Campus Safety Director Kevin Rodino pleaded not guilty Wednesday in Norwich Superior Court to several charges stemming from the school’s response to allegations in April 2017 that a coach was having sexual relations with a student.

Kevin Rodino, 61, of 53 Lake View Drive, Preston was charged Feb. 25 with failure to report suspected child abuse, tampering with evidence, issuing a false statement and interfering with police in connection with his role in the internal investigation at NFA after allegations that then-assistant coach Anthony Facchini had engaged in sexual relations with a student. Facchini has been charged with two counts of second-degree sexual assault after police and the state Department of Children and Families learned of a second alleged relationship with another student in June 2018.

Rodino pleaded not guilty in a brief court appearance Wednesday with attorney Paul Chinigo. His next court date is May 1 in Norwich Superior Court. Rodino quickly left the courtroom without commenting Wednesday.

Police said NFA learned of the first allegation in April 2017, when Rodino received a call from NFA Curriculum Director Denise Grant after she had discussed the allegation with physical and health education teacher Susan Hopkins-Terrell. Rodino allegedly reported that the initial call was anonymous and vague, but Grant told police Rodino knew her identity and returned her call on her desk phone. She said she never meant to be anonymous.

Rodino’s initial investigation report stated that Rodino met with Head of School David Klein, Director of Student Affairs John Iovino and then-Athletic Director Eric Swallow regarding the allegation. School officials quickly closed the investigation after both Facchini and the student denied they were in a sexual relationship.

According to police, Rodino’s initial report did not indicate school officials intended to report the allegations to police or to DCF — such reporting is required by state law for all school personnel — even if Facchini had acknowledged the relationship.

“Rodino states in the initial report that it was decided, after advising Iovino, Klein and Athletic Director Eric Swallow, that Swallow would meet with Facchini regarding this matter to gain additional information,” police wrote in the search warrant affidavit. “Rodino also noted that if the allegations were found to be true, Facchini would be advised the social interaction should stop immediately.”

Swallow resigned on Sept. 10, two days before police arrested Facchini on Sept. 12.

Police started investigating in June 2018 after a coach reported to DCF and police allegations that Facchini was involved in a second relationship with a second student.

During interviews with police, Rodino allegedly was reading from his green hardback notebook when discussing his first investigation. Police requested copies of documents related to the investigation and the green notebook was not provided.

On Sept. 12, during the search and seizure executed on the NFA campus, police found a green hard-back notebook in a closet. Rodino said he had never seen the notebook before and never used that notebook or one similar to it. The notebook was found to have at least 80 pages cut from the front portion.

During interviews with police, Rodino allegedly contradicted statements by other NFA officials involved and allegedly told police he remembered things differently but did not dispute their statements.

When Rodino was charged on Feb. 25, State’s Attorney Michael L. Regan issued a letter explaining that while Norwich police sought other arrest warrants of NFA officials who did not report the allegations regarding Facchini, the one-year statute of limitations had lapsed on the misdemeanor charge of failure to report.

NFA Head of School Klein, cleared of any wrongdoing in the NFA board of trustees’ internal investigation, placed Rodino, Grant and Hopkins-Terrell on paid administrative leave in connection with the case.

NFA spokesman Geoff Serra said Wednesday they remain on paid leave and there is no change in their status.

c.bessette@theday.com