GENTRY — Gentry Police Department, with the assistance of the Benton County Child Advocacy Center, is investigating allegations that a staff member at Gentry Middle School abused a child or children.

Little information is being released at this time, according to Gentry Police Chief Keith Smith, because the investigation is still ongoing, with a number of interviews done and others yet to be completed.

Smith said he was not yet ready to release any names of suspects in the case or the nature of the allegations because the investigation is not yet complete and it was unknown if any charges will be filed.He said he probably would not release any more information until after the investigation is completed and he has conferred with the county prosecutor’s office about the findings of the investigation.

On Monday, Randy Barrett, superintendent of Gentry Schools, notified school board members by email that he had suspended a teacher until the end of the current school year and that this suspension carried with it a recommendation of termination of the teacher’scontract with the district.

“Yesterday, I suspended Blake Rhein for the remainder of his contract year and notified him this recommendation carries a recommendation of termination of contract,” Barrett said in his email to the board. “Mr. Rhein has 30 days to appeal to you this action of mine. I am unable to discuss this matter with you until his hearing with you is held or until his time for appealinglapses,” he wrote.

Barrett did confirm on Monday that the suspension was related to the police investigation, but Barrett was unable to comment further on the suspension at this time.

Rhein, a first-year teacher, is listed on the school district website as a Middle School physical education and health teacher. He is also listed as the coach of the high school boys’ soccer team.

News, Pages 5 on 05/09/2012