Beechwood Elementary School Teacher Under Investigation By Homeland Security

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- A teacher at an elementary school in the Pittsburgh Public School District is now the subject of a Homeland Security investigation.

The school district isn't saying much about it, other than to confirm that the teacher from Pittsburgh Beechwood Elementary School has been placed on administrative leave.

In a letter from district officials, Beechwood Elementary parents were told a teacher was sent home for inappropriate use of technology. Later, the district confirmed to KDKA that Homeland Security is leading the investigation. But they won't give any further details.

Beechwood Elementary has about 400 students ranging from kindergarten through the fifth grade. It's a historic school building that sits in the city's Beechview neighborhood, and now, it's the subject of an investigation.

"I think it's ridiculous. I think the teachers need to be more responsible about working with kids, and I think the school district needs to be more careful about who they're hiring to deal with our kids," said parent Lisa Crowley.

"This is crazy. Honestly," added Jeremy Horne, another parent. "We got this [the letter]; I didn't think it was serious until now."

Parents were sent the letter that says, in part, there's "....an investigation at Pittsburgh Beechwood regarding an allegation of inappropriate use of school technology."

It also says that "the district has placed a Beechwood teacher that may be involved on administrative leave." But there is no mention of Homeland Security.

The letter goes on to say student safety is the school and district's first priority.

"We will continue to work to provide a safe and orderly environment where all students have the best possible opportunity to succeed. Since this matter is under investigation, we have no additional information to share at this time."

Click here to read the full letter from the Pittsburgh Public School District.

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Parents that KDKA spoke with say it's just not right.

"They should have made it a bigger deal. They make it seem like it was something they took care of. This is definitely a big surprise," said Horne.

KDKA hasn't been able to track down the exact specifics about what Homeland Security is investigating. We are waiting to hear back from a spokesperson for the agency.