PEORIA, Ariz. — A program aimed at helping high school students learn valuable skills for the workforce has been suspended at Peoria High School due to adults overseeing the program being involved in an investigation of sexual misconduct with students.
Patrick Battillo, also known as Mr. ORNG, was arrested in April after court records showed he allegedly asked a male student if he was willing to sell inappropriate photos of himself. Battillo served as the head basketball coach but also a volunteer for the Jobs for Arizona Graduates Program, or JAG.
"We're pausing the program to reset and determine what's best to support students through similar programming," school officials told 12News in a statement. "The temporary suspension of the program at Peoria High School is unrelated to the integrity or effectiveness of the JAG program."
Another teacher, Holly Holgate, who allegedly warned Battillo he was being investigated, was also arrested for interfering with a police investigation. She oversaw the JAG program. Battillo's predecessor, William Roberts, also led the same program. He was found not guilty of sexual misconduct with children in another case.
The Black Mothers Forum, a group that has been speaking on behalf of the parents of students on the basketball team, said they are concerned about how the program was being used by the adults to interact with students.
There is no timetable for when the program may be reinstated. It has been canceled for the next school year.
Battillo was fired by the district and is out on bond. Holgate remains on administrative leave.
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