The Cass County Board of Supervisors today (Thursday) approved by a vote of 4-to-1, a request from the Cass County Child Abuse Prevention Council, to Proclaim the 2014-2015 School Year as “Violence Prevention in Cass County Schools Year.” The lone nay vote came from Supervisor Mark Wedemeyer, who didn’t feel he should lend his support until allegations about a key element of the “Scary Guy” program could be reviewed.

The Cass Co. Board of Supervisors (except Mark Wedemeyer), gather for a picture after proclaiming 2014-2015 as “Violence Prevention in Cass Co. Schools Year.”

Kristen Templeton, with Unity Point at Home and Cass County Public Health spoke about efforts pertaining to violence prevention in the schools, which begins later this month with presentations by “The Scary Guy,” in each of the Cass County Schools.  The CCCAP has received funding from communities and individuals in the County to bring “The Scary Guy” to the County for his 10-day stay.

A Cumberland resident, Emily Rouse, who has four children who will be entering elementary school this year, said she was opposed to “The Scary Guy’s” presentation, based on a conversation she had and videos she’s seen. She says she received a flier at the end of the year and the name “Scary Guy” piqued her interest. After conducting some research she spoke a school principal in Hermantown, MN, who alleges some less than appropriate behavior took place during a presentation two-years ago.

The principal, according to Rouse, said The Scary Guy is rude, and bit the bald head of the principal. He also allegedly made fun of a kid in a wheelchair and made sexually inappropriate comments a middle school student. She said there is also a You Tube video purporting to show The Scary Guy in other gross or disgusting acts. She urged the Board not to support the efforts of the character in Cass County schools. Rouse said she intends to pull her students out of class the day of his presentation. Kristin Templeton said she spoke with The Scary Guy, who has refuted the allegations against him.

She said she also spoke with a different school administrator in Hermantown, who said a CNN story on the presentation was slanted to provide a negative view of The Scary Guy program. Supervisor Mark Wedemeyer and the rest of the Board, was encouraged by Rouse to research The Scary Guy and decide for themselves if his presentation is appropriate.  Supervisor Chuck Rieken said the request was to ask the Board to support Violence Prevention, not to pass judgment on “The Scary Guy” program, which was not a part of the Proclamation

Rieken said if something inappropriate happens during “The Scary Guy” program, he has “full faith” that school administrators and others responsible, will intervene and stop it.