David Weiss was the former Jefferson County Chief of Schools. However, he was terminated after an investigation of possession of child pornography was launched against him on December 19. Two weeks later, however, authorities found him dead. According to the Washington County Sheriff's Office, he died by suicide during the holidays.
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It was only after Weiss' death that the Sheriff's Office confirmed that they were investigating him over "possession of child sexual assault material." In context, David Weiss was in charge of leading the Department of School Leadership. He managed and boosted "student achievement, quality school leadership, and school effectiveness," according to The Denver Gazette.
"Practically speaking, this role oversees 11 community superintendents who, in turn, supervise Jeffco's school principals," Jefferson County Public Schools said in a statement. "Additionally, this role manages the executive director of athletics and activities and director of student discipline."
According to 9News, Weiss was found dead on Wednesday, January 1, at around 9:30 a.m. While an autopsy is pending, which will determine his cause of death, it is believed that he died by suicide. The investigation will continue, according to Washington County Sheriff's Office spokesperson Karlyn Tilley. "Until it is completed, no further information will be released," Tilley told The Denver Gazette.
Backlash
Following Weiss' death, a wave of backlash from concerned parents quickly amassed. "You never think that that's going to happen in your school district," parent Crystal Marine told FOX 31. "Especially with somebody that's so elevated in a position. It's disturbing and it's shocking. And I'm just frankly, I'm disgusted."
Parent Lindsay Datko is now concerned that, after David Weiss allegedly committed suicide, parents won't be getting any answers. "This person had a great deal of influence on past investigations that have to do with grooming and sexual abuse in our schools," Datko said. "And we are going to be demanding that those investigations are looked at again because this person, David Weiss, chief of schools, add influence and power over the decisions made in those cases."
The school district would then issue a statement on the matter. "The safety of all children, especially our Jeffco students, is our top priority, and we will continue to fully support the JCSO in their ongoing investigation," the statement said. They stated that they have a "zero-tolerance policy" for behaviors such as Weiss' that threaten the "health and safety" of their students.
