HOUSTON – Sharpstown High School Principal Robert Gasparello was back on campus Monday after being cleared of allegations that he assaulted several students.
The Houston Independent School District released the following statement:
"HISD Police has concluded it's investigation into allegations related to Sharpstown High Principal Rob Gasparello. No evidence was found to substantiate any of the criminal allegations and the principal has been cleared to return to campus."
Gasparello was reassigned Feb. 17 after four students claimed he unlawfully struck them. The allegations were brought forward by former Sharpstown High School Assistant Principal Robert Kimball, a long-time critic of the district who now works with LULAC district 8.
In response to Gasparello's reinstatement Kimball told Channel 2 News Monday, "I don't think he should be principal in HISD or any other school in the country."
A letter to HISD administrators signed by the directors of LULAC districts 8 and 18 contends HISD discriminates against Hispanic students based on race and that, "the anti-Spanish speaking culture at Sharpstown High School have all but failed these students."
Kimball says one of the four boys who made the assault allegations was suspended Monday after Gasparello returned to work.
Gasparello was not available for comment Monday, but his former attorney Rusty Hardin insisted the allegations against him are groundless. Hardin said the four students had all previously been disciplined for the safety of other students at the school.
Gasparello says he was never alone with the students and never touched any of them.
Hardin contends Kimball has ulterior motives for airing the allegations calling him "an uninformed and disgruntled jerk with a vendetta against HISD," and referring to him as "a former Sharpstown employee now settled with at LULAC where he feels free to settle old scores."
Hardin also said LULAC officials should have more closely screened the student's claims before leveling the allegations.
Kimball responded by saying, "Rusty Hardin doesn't know me, so he can't judge me."
Kimball said the four teenagers should be transferred to other schools. He says he's planning to meet with HISD administrators Monday evening to discuss doing that.