Westside Community Schools Superintendent Mike Lucas sent a district-wide email to Westside staff and parents the evening of Tuesday, Jan. 7, regarding the recent arrest made by Omaha Police Department of Michael Reilly, a sixth grade teacher at Westgate Elementary School. Reilly had been arrested for possession of child pornography, manufacturing of child pornography and unlawful intrusion. In the email sent by Lucas, he wrote that Reilly has since been placed on administrative leave and is out of the building.

“We have placed Reilly on administrative leave effective immediately,” Lucas stated in the email.

Lucas wrote that at this time, the Omaha Police Department does not have reason to believe that there were any victims at Westgate or at any other schools within the Westside district.

“The conduct is alleged to have occurred off school grounds,” Lucas said. “However, the investigation continues and Omaha Police ask anyone with concerns to contact them.”

Lucas wrote that there will be counselors available at Westgate to talk with and support students throughout the week.

“We will have counselors on hand at Westgate for any students who want to talk about this, and we are reminding our teachers about ways they can appropriately answer questions that may surface in our school,” Lucas said.

Lucas recommended several suggestions from the American Counseling Department for parents and how to help their children during situations such as these, including but not limited to: try to keep routines as normal as possible, limit exposure to television and the news, remain honest with kids and share as much information with them as they are developmentally able to handle and to listen to kids’ fears and concerns. Lucas also encouraged parents to reach out to staff at their respective buildings with any questions or concerns.

“Our number one focus as we move forward is our students,” Lucas wrote. “Please reach out to your building principal, teacher leader, any of our counselors, or any of our administrators if you or your child need additional support.”