Appleton principal to stand trial in May

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CHILTON, Wis. (AP) — An Appleton elementary school principal accused of mishandling a child abuse report will stand trial in May.

Richard J. Waters faces misdemeanor charges of obstructing police and failure to report child abuse, according to Post-Crescent Media.

The charges are related to a 2011 investigation into former special education teacher Mary Berglund at Janet Berry Elementary School. She was sentenced to three years’ probation after pleading no contest to misdemeanor battery charges.

Police say Waters failed to come forward with the reports in a timely manner, made a statement contrary to information provided by another witness and altered a letter regarding the case.

Waters, of Neenah, was initially charged with obstructing officers in November 2011. The case was dismissed, but prosecutors retained the ability to refile charges.

Waters’ attorney, Len Kachinsky, asked Judge Daniel Bissett on Friday to dismiss the case, arguing that there’s a lack of information to support the charges. Bissett determined there was probable cause and set the case for trial May 20. It’s expected to take two days.

Information from: Post-Crescent Media, http://www.postcrescent.com