An assistant principal at Lake Marion Creek Middle School in Poinciana, Florida, was placed on administrative leave after allegedly having a student rub her feet while making inappropriate comments towards him. Dr. Keiva Lark, 53, was charged with lewd/lascivious conduct and lewd offense against a student by an authority figure after the incident was reported to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office on April 4. The victim, a 13-year-old male student, was sent to Lark’s office after throwing a piece of paper across the classroom during a test. In her office, Lark allegedly told the student to rub her feet and put her legs across his lap while he did so, scolding him for not doing it correctly.
Witnesses reported hearing Lark telling the teen to “rub her feet like he loved her” and that she wanted him to do this “so he would know what foreplay is for when he gets a girlfriend.” One witness said Lark later admitted that the incident crossed the line. During a forensic interview, the victim claimed that Lark had called him “Sexy Chocolate” in the school hallway. Lark initially dismissed it as a joke meant to humble the victim, but Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd deemed it completely inappropriate behavior for a 53-year-old assistant principal to engage in towards a middle school boy.
Lark admitted to acting inappropriately for her profession but denied saying anything inappropriate to the victim. The incident was reported to the Polk County School Board and the Florida Department of Children and Families, leading to Lark being placed on administrative leave. Polk County Public Schools Superintendent Frederick Heid condemned Lark’s behavior, stating that it was abhorrent for someone in her position to act in such a manner towards students. He commended the school principal for reporting the incident promptly so that appropriate action could be taken to protect the students.
The situation involving Dr. Lark highlights the seriousness of inappropriate conduct between school staff and students, especially when it involves someone in a position of authority. The charges of lewd/lascivious conduct and lewd offense against a student by an authority figure are significant, as they involve taking advantage of a power dynamic for inappropriate behavior. The behavior exhibited by Lark towards the student, including having him rub her feet and making suggestive comments, is concerning and has no place in a school environment.
The incident involving Dr. Lark serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining professional boundaries and ethical behavior when working with students. Teachers and administrators have a responsibility to ensure the safety and well-being of their students, and any behavior that crosses the line of appropriateness should be reported and addressed promptly. The actions taken by the school principal, the Polk County School Board, and law enforcement in response to the incident demonstrate a commitment to protecting students and upholding standards of conduct in educational settings.
While Dr. Lark may have admitted to acting inappropriately, acknowledging the seriousness of the situation, the impact of her actions on the student involved cannot be understated. The emotional and psychological effects of being subjected to inappropriate behavior by someone in a position of authority can have long-lasting consequences for a student. It is essential for schools and communities to provide support and resources to students who have been affected by such incidents to ensure their well-being and safety moving forward.
