In the wake of recent charges against Knoch Primary School principal Gregory Mandalas, Knoch School District superintendent David Foley has announced that Mandalas will not be returning to the building this school year.

In a message posted Tuesday, May 23, to the district’s website, Foley said Rick Cavett, retired principal and assistant superintendent, has agreed to work in the building as acting principal.

“Mr. Rick Cavett has agreed to work in the building as acting principal for the balance of the school year,” the statement read. “Mr. Cavett is a retired principal and assistant superintendent from the district. He will assist with any needs you may have.

“Our teachers and staff will continue to focus their attention on our students and on providing a positive, successful, and meaningful conclusion to the school year.”

The district’s last day of school is June 2.

Mandalas was placed on administrative leave at the district after being charged with misdemeanor willingly failing to report suspected child abuse as a mandated reporter in a case relating to charges against his son, Matthew G. Mandalas.

According to charging documents released Tuesday, May 23, from state police, the Butler Crime Unit received a report on Aug. 8, 2022, that a 6-year-old female said Matthew Mandalas, 20, touched her in an intimate area and then forced her to touch him inappropriately. He was 19 years old and the girl was 5 years old at the time of the alleged incident.

Matthew Mandalas was charged with felony corruption of minors and misdemeanor indecent assault on Aug. 26, 2022.

Gregory Mandalas had knowledge of the alleged incident for 22 days and did not report it, police said in charging documents.

School district solicitor Tom Breth previously clarified that the allegations do not involve a Knoch district student and that Mandalas’ administrative leave is part of school protocol.

“He's on leave with pay right now, just because that's the process we have to follow as a school district,” Breth said, “initially with pay until he is presented with discipline charges.”

A preliminary hearing for Mandalas is scheduled June 27.

Foley previously stated that he would work with the solicitor to provide the public and families as much information as is legally possible. In his statement Tuesday, he offered parents reassurances that the district would not let the case obstruct students end of year.