Paul Green to close rock schools after sexual misconduct allegations involving a teenage student.

Paul Green, a 53-year-old founder of children’s rock music programs, has announced the closure of the Paul Green Rock Academy located in Roxborough amid new allegations regarding inappropriate conduct with a former student. The allegations, which surfaced recently, suggest that Green initiated sexual contact with a 17-year-old student in 2007, a relationship that reportedly continued for two years. The announcement came just as Media News Source prepared to publish a report detailing these allegations.

In a statement regarding his retirement from teaching, Green expressed that after considerable reflection, he believed it was time to step back from his current role and cease operations at the academy. This decision was notably timed with the investigation being conducted by Media News Source into the claims made by a woman who asserts that Green engaged in a sexual relationship with her during her time as a student.

This is the first instance in which Green has faced public accusations of sexual involvement with a student while he was involved in educational activities. The legal age of consent in Pennsylvania is 16; however, sexual contact between individuals in authoritative positions, such as teachers and school administrators, and minors under 18 is classified as a third-degree felony, carrying potential penalties of up to seven years imprisonment. This statute was in effect during the time of the alleged incidents and continues to apply today.

In his remarks about the decision to close the academy, Green denied the specific allegations put forward by the investigation. Earlier this year, additional claims surfaced from former students of the School of Rock, where Green also held influence. Reports from Air Mail magazine indicated that over 60 former students described experiences of abuse related to Green’s authoritative role at the institution.

As of Thursday afternoon, the Paul Green Rock Academy’s social media presence had been halted, with their Instagram account deactivated. Green’s comprehensive statement concerning the closure can be found on the academy’s official Facebook page. In his comments, he acknowledged having engaged in extramarital relationships with individuals connected to the School of Rock but firmly denied having any romantic or sexual interactions with underage individuals at any point.

The closure of the Paul Green Rock Academy marks a significant moment in the ongoing discourse surrounding professional ethics in education, particularly regarding the safeguarding of minors in educational settings. The implications of these allegations, coupled with the responses from the educational community, continue to unfold.