Rush-Henrietta School substitute employee arrested for endangering welfare of student

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — A Rush-Henrietta Central School District (RHCSD) employee was arrested for “inappropriate electronic messaging” with a student, Rush-Henrietta Interim Superintendent Dr. Pamela Kissel said in a statement Saturday.

In the February 4 message to parents and family, Dr. Kissel said that on January 18, RHCSD employee Jimmy Buntley was arrested by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office. He was charged with endangering the welfare of a child, a misdemeanor.

“We have not shared this information until now because the district did not want to compromise a lengthy investigation being conducted by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office,” the February 4 statement reads in part.

The statement goes on to say in January, a student approached a high school administrator and told them about inappropriate messaging with a staff member. Dr. Kissel said the district began investigating the concerns and called law enforcement.

“Mr. Buntley had not been on campus since before December Recess, prior to the time this allegation was reported,” Dr. Kissel said. “I assure you he will not be returning to our district.”

Unrelated to the allegations at RHCSD, Buntley has had a Rochester Police Department warrant out for his arrest since late 2021, officers with RPD confirmed Sunday.

In November 2021, Buntley allegedly “forcibly touched” an adult victim in a nightclub setting. Shortly after the crime was reported, an arrest warrant was signed.

During his January 18 arrest, MCSO learned of the warrant, and notified RPD. Rochester officers took Buntley to the Monroe County Jail on January 19.

In their initial statement, RHCSD said that Buntley had been working at the district since 2018. They did not respond to request for comment about the warrant.

Buntley was released on his own recognizance, representatives with MCSO said Monday.

He had worked in many locations throughout the district, according to Dr. Kissel’s statement. She encourages anyone who has concerns regarding interactions with Buntley to call 911 or contact the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.