The entrance to Lenape Park (Credit: Google Street View)
The district’s statement was prompted by Wissahickon Now’s investigation into 47-year-old Matthew Gagat, who is accused of publicly masturbating in Sellersville and Ambler.
Explaining that she’d only been notified the first time by the media on Monday night, Haverford Township School District’s Superintendent Maureen Reusche released a statement Tuesday regarding the district’s fifth grade teacher and his multiple alleged counts of open lewdness.
As Wissahickon Now previously reported, Matthew Paul Gagat, 47, of Horsham, was recently accused for a second time of open lewdness, with the first alleged incident occurring in March and the second alleged incident occurring on June 27, according to court documents.
“First and foremost, we understand and share in the concern this news causes, and the desire for more information and for a meaningful response from the school district,” Reusche said in a statement provided to parents. “We will do our very best to provide as much accurate information, context, and support as soon as possible.”
According to police, Gagat was allegedly masturbating at the Whitemarsh Cemetery in March, as observed by two dog-walkers who called police. The couple said they also observed Gagat “helicoptering his penis” and later “actively masturbating” behind another woman on a phone, police reports said.
On June 27, while out on bail from his first charges, Gagat was allegedly seen in Lenape Park, in Sellersville, starting at a woman while masturbating across the river from her. Gagat has denied both incidents, according to police.
The superintendent said that the proper channels must be worked for progress to occur.
“The challenge for a school system in these moments is to appropriately address our community’s concerns while maintaining the procedures - both in the criminal justice system and as a District employee - that the individual is entitled to under the law,” Reusche said in her provided statement. “As both processes evolve, we will do our best to share as much information as we can share, with sensitivity and transparency.”
With such sensitive matters, the district’s superintendent said that they would be working to answer questions as quickly as they can.
“We are very much aware that there are many important questions to be answered and information to be addressed,” said Reusche. “We expect to be able to share additional information in the next few days and to provide opportunities for additional support to our families, as well. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work as quickly as possible.”
Gagat is still awaiting his hearing pertaining to the alleged June incident in Sellersville Borough. He’s also going through court proceedings in county court for the alleged March incident in Horsham.
Click here to read our investigation into Gagat, and here for our original coverage.
All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using public court records.
