Photography firm probed

By Emily Richmond (contact)

Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2003 | 9:51 a.m.

A photography firm under investigation by school police after a student alleged she was inappropriately touched was hired by one other school, district officials said Tuesday.

A student at David Cox Elementary School told her mother she was inappropriately touched by a photographer from America's School Portraits during a fund-raiser sitting at the Henderson campus Friday, Clark County School District officials said. After her allegation another four girls and one boy came forward with similar reports, said Darnell Couthen, spokesman for the school district police.

David Price, principal of Cox, said Tuesday as many as 30 students, two teachers and six parent volunteers were present in the school's music room Friday during the photo shoot.

Lisa Robinson, president of the Cox PTA, said Wednesday that the photography firm was selected by the school's liaison committee and staff and not her organization. In an interview with the Sun Tuesday, the father of the alleged victim had said the company was endorsed by the PTA.

America's School Portraits, formerly known as Compos Photography, had a contract to do a school yearbook as well as individual sittings for students and staff at Kesterson Elementary School in Henderson last year, said Edward Goldman, superintendent of the district's southeast region.

There were no reports of any misconduct by photographers but the firm's contract was not renewed because of mistakes, missed deadlines and parent dissatisfaction with the quality of their children's photographs, Goldman said.

Calls to America's School Portraits were not immediately returned.

Patrick Schlichting, who manages operations in Southern Nevada for the national school portrait studio chain LifeTouch, said he was dismayed by the allegations. His company does school portrait work and he has a son who attends Cox.

"It's a matter of concern regardless of the industry involved," Schlichting said.

Photo sittings have become common fund-raising techniques for Clark County schools and have expanded from annual class pictures to include special sittings for entire families after regular school hours. Because each school brokers its own deal with photography firms, district officials say they warn administrators to seek competitive bids, verify business licenses and provide security measures when allowing vendors contact with students.