School custodian suspected

 A Thunder Bay man recently charged with one count of accessing child pornography is a custodian with McKellar Park Central School, tbnewswatch.com learned Thursday.

Michael Daniel Bewcyk, 61, was one of 35 people charged following a province-wide child pornography investigation earlier this week. His name appears as chief custodian in the September/October 2009 edition of the McKellar Park Chronicle.

Lakehead Public Schools spokesperson Bruce Nugent said the board "can't confirm or deny" that Bewcyk is an employee with the school board. McKellar principal Michelle Probizanski deferred to Lakehead Public Schools administration for comment.

Board chair Deborah Massaro deferred questions to Lakehead Director of Education Catherine Siemieniuk who did not return a call from tbnewswatch.com Thursday.

When asked about general board policy when an employee is charged with a criminal offence, trustee Lori Lukinuk said matters would be discussed in camera with a lawyer involved.

Nugent, also speaking to general board policy, said when an employee is charged, as an employer the board will act accordingly with suspension or termination depending on the severity of the charge and threat to student and staff safety.

Bewcyk is expected to appear in court in April.