More staffers accused of misconduct at Central Catholic HS

LAWRENCE, Mass. — Two more staff members at a local Catholic high school were placed on leave just days after facility fired its assistant principal over allegations that he drugged and raped a student.

Andrew Nikonchuck is accused of drugging and raping a student at his Lowell home in 2006. His attorney told Boston 25 the allegations are false, but now the Middlesex District Attorney is investigating.

Central Catholic High School officials said Thursday that it found more incidents of alleged misconduct against the staffers while investigating the allegations against Nikonchuck.

Central Catholic High School President Christopher Sullivan said neither of the new cases involve physical harm to students.

In one case, a staff member allegedly posted compromising photos of himself on an adults-only website.
"This staff member's online behavior is inconsistent with the values of self-respect, compassion for others, and healthy decision-making for the children we serve," Sullivan said.

The second staff member allegedly sent inappropriate messages through social media to a student who graduated in 2016.

“The school is conducting an investigation regarding these allegations. The sending of these messages violated the school's policies pertaining to appropriate and social boundaries between students and faculty,” Sullivan said.

School officials said they are working with local law enforcement during the investigation and will inform the community of the findings.

Cox Media Group