Two Juanita High School coaches have been placed on paid administrative leave from the football team in connection with the sexual assault by four freshman football players.

The C-team players are accused of sexually assaulting a special-needs student on Oct. 22 in the school locker room with a broom handle. All four players have been expelled from the school pending the result of the investigation. All four students were arrested in connection with the incident but have yet to be charged.

A letter to parents was sent via email to Juanita High School students that the coaches would be on leave pending the Lake Washington School District’s investigation into the incident.

“Juanita High School and Lake Washington School District are committed to the safety and security of every student,” letter states.

The letter also stated that Craig Peterson would act as head coach of the varsity team as they host a playoff game tonight against Sumner at Juanita High School. Shaun Tarantola has been the head coach of the Rebels for six seasons.

The letter did not name the two coaches but numerous sources have told the Reporter that assistant coach Lele Te’o has not been with the team since the incident. It is unclear if Te’o absence is connected to the incident or if he is one of the coaches who has been placed on leave.

The arrests were made Oct. 23 after the male student and his family told police officers that he was assaulted the day before while in the school locker room by several younger male students. The male students were identified and arrested. They were interviewed and released to their parent’s later that day.

“Students who interrupted the situation put a stop to it, as well as reporting it to adults,” Juanita High School Principal Gary Moed said on a letter to parents the week of the incident. “On Thursday morning, the Kirkland police department began an investigation of the incident. We are cooperating fully with the Kirkland police, who arrested four students on Thursday afternoon. We also began investigating the situation with regard to school discipline.”

Because of student privacy laws, the school cannot divulge further information, including discipline, according to Moed.

“However, I can assure you that we have already taken action with regard to the safety of students and staff at Juanita High School,” Moed said.

The Kirkland Police Department in a release stated that the Lake Washington School District has taken action against the four students per district policy. Students are given an emergency expulsion if the district believes they impose a danger to other students or faculty members, according to Lake Washington School District spokesperson Kathryn Rieth. They can later be allowed back to school if they are no longer determined to be a danger.

“This incident is the exception to the Juanita High School way,” Moed said. “As a school, we are working hard to create a safe, caring and an inclusive environment. Last year, we implemented the Safe Schools Ambassadors program. Our staff and student leadership have worked hard to make Juanita a safe place for everyone.

“I am truly saddened that this incident could occur at Juanita but am also proud of the students who stepped in to stop it. I plan to do everything within my power to keep safety of students as our top priority.”

The case is still under investigation by police department detectives.