Mendon schools issues statement regarding arrest of former contract worker

Mendon Community Schools Superintendent Leasa Griffith-Mathews issued a statement Tuesday after the St. Joseph County officials announced the arrest of a former contract worker on criminal-sexual conduct charges.

Griffith-Mathews said the district is aware of the media release issued by prosecuting attorney Debra Davis. As a result, it has prompted many questions.

“To be clear,” Griffith-Mathews said, “Sand was never a district employee. Rather, she was previously employed by a food-service provider who the district contracts with.” Griffith-Mathews said Sand was assigned to the district from August 2022 until March 2023.

“Although the district cannot discuss specifics of the situation, Mendon’s administrative team has been working with the Mendon Police Department and we will continue to do so,” Griffith-Mathews said.

Sand was arraigned Monday, Sept. 29.

Sand is charged with:

• Two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct.

• Two counts of third degree criminal sexual conduct.

• One count of second-degree criminal sexual conduct.

• One count of tampering with evidence in a criminal case.

• One count of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct.