Ryan Gatto pleaded no contest to allegations {of professional} misconduct for inappropriate feedback and touching directed at a feminine co-worker whereas he was principal at a Thunder Bay Catholic District College Board elementary college.
THUNDER BAY — A principal with the Thunder Bay Catholic District College Board can be suspended for 4 months after pleading no contest to allegations {of professional} misconduct involving a feminine co-worker.
Ryan Gatto appeared earlier than a disciplinary committee with the Ontario School of Academics on Wednesday.
The discover of listening to was first filed in January 2024 after a number of ladies reported inappropriate behaviour by Gatto whereas he was principal at Holy Household College between 2019 and 2022.
After the allegations had been introduced earlier than the college board, Gatto was suspended for 5 days and transferred to a different college in Could 2022.
Throughout the disciplinary listening to on Wednesday, Gatto pleaded no contest to the allegations {of professional} misconduct and the assertion of uncontested info in relation to actions towards one of many feminine workers.
In keeping with the assertion of uncontested info, whereas working as principal at Holy Household College between 2019 and 2022, Gatto engaged in inappropriate conduct and unwelcome feedback and touching that constituted office sexual harassment.
The behaviour included feedback concerning the co-worker’s underwear, massaging her shoulders when seated at her desk, tapping her buttock when shifting by her, putting a hand between her decrease again and buttock when hugging her, and texting her within the night asking what she was doing and if she was alone.
“She was shocked and uncomfortable that he would touch her in this way,” the assertion of info reads.
“She was acutely aware of the power imbalance between them and was worried about her job if she said no about his comments.”
Gatto’s behaviour was dropped at the eye of the college board by one other worker who witnessed his conduct towards the girl.
“The board noted the member was not fully transparent in that he did not admit to some of the conduct the board found he engaged in,” the assertion of info continues.
A joint submission on penalty was introduced to the disciplinary committee calling for Gatto to be suspended for 4 months.
“We believe the proposed penalty takes into account the goals of discipline committee orders, which are to protect the public, maintain high professional standards, and to preserve public confidence in the teaching profession,” mentioned Ava Arbuck, council on behalf of the Ontario School of Academics.
“The proposed suspension is a serious penalty.
“It is intended to satisfy the principles of specific and general deterrence, to protect the public, and to preserve public confidence in the profession.”
Arbuck mentioned a number of mitigating and aggravating elements had been considered when figuring out the suitable penalty.
The mitigating elements embody this being Gatto’s first look earlier than the disciplinary committee, that no college students had been identified to be current when he was participating within the misconduct, and Gatto is working with counsel to resolve the matter comparatively shortly.
However Arbuck additionally cited a number of aggravating elements, reminiscent of Gatto’s expertise as an educator having labored for the board since 2003.
The apparent energy imbalance between Gatto and the co-worker was additionally seen to be a severe aggravating issue.
Whereas there is no such thing as a proof that any college students had been current on the time of the misconduct, it did happen throughout the college.
“His inappropriate comments or touching could have been observed by students as it happened at school,” Arbuck mentioned.
“And we know someone other than person one observed him engaging in misconduct.”
The disciplinary committee accepted the joint advice on penalty.
Along with the four-month suspension that’s to start on August 22, Gatto can even obtain an oral reprimand and be required to take coursework relating to applicable skilled relationships and boundary violations to be accomplished inside 90 days.
