BATAVIA – The Batavia School Board Tuesday voted to issue a written warning of improper conduct to Batavia High School social studies teacher John Dryden for warning his students not to incriminate themselves before answering an in-class survey about emotional and at-risk behavior.

"In this case, district teachers, social workers, guidance counselors, psychologists and others worked together for over a year to select a data-gathering instrument that could be used to determine what social or emotional issues our high school students are experiencing, and whether individual students could benefit from new or increased supportive intervention by our staff," Batavia School Superintendent Jack Barshinger said in a statement after a closed session to discuss the matter. "These purposes were shared with our parents and our teachers."



"The issue before the board was whether one employee has the right to mischaracterize the efforts of our teachers, counselors, social workers and others; and tell our students, in effect, that the adults are not here to help, but that they are trying to get you to 'incriminate' yourselves."



Barshinger said the board "has asked my administration to take steps in the future to increase parental awareness and transparency when gathering data about sensitive issues such as mental health or substance abuse issues. When a plan of action is developed, we have agreed to share those details with our community."



Before the closed session, dozens of students, parents, teachers and community members spoke in support of Dryden.