Head of Trinity Valley School resigns weeks after piano teacher accused of misconduct
The head of school for Trinity Valley School in Fort Worth resigned from her position effective Wednesday, according to a letter sent to parents.
Blair Lowry will be “pursuing her passion for entrepreneurship” after leaving the private school, according to the letter.
The resignation comes about two weeks after news that Fort Worth police were investigating conduct involving a “former piano teacher in the presence of students during the 2022-2023 school year,” according to a previous letter that Trinity Valley School sent to parents. The conduct that was being investigated was not specified.
Lowry was the head of school for the past four years, leading TVS in its planning for the future, according to the letter to parents.
The school did not say whether Lowry’s departure was planned or whether it had anything to do with the alleged misconduct of the piano teacher, who has not been publicly identified.
In a separate letter to alumni, the school said it is planning to hire a search committee to find the next permanent head of school. In the meantime, Adam Wojtelwicz, the current chief financial officer, will be the interim head of school, and Sandy McNutt, the former head of lower school, has agreed to work as special assistant to the board and liaison for the community and faculty.
In a statement Thursday, a spokesperson for Trinity Valley said, “Trinity Valley School’s Trustees and administrative leaders are focusing complete attention on caring for our students, parents, educators, and families and providing the outstanding educational experiences that our students have enjoyed for 65 years.”
According to the letter sent last month about the piano teacher, Trinity Valley School employees undergo a thorough background check before hiring and are required to sign a sworn affidavit that they have never been charged with or convicted of an inappropriate relationship with a minor. They also receive training on boundaries and what to do if child abuse is suspected.
The teacher has not been on campus since April 2023, according to the letter. The teacher passed a background check before beginning work, school officials said.
In a statement to the Star-Telegram two weeks ago, Lowry said, “The safety and well-being of our students and the entire Trinity Valley community is our top priority. When we recently received a report about a former piano teacher, we immediately notified Child Protective Services. We are meeting with families and will be assisting and supporting the families as we move forward.”
This story was originally published June 6, 2024 at 11:05 AM.