WINTON – An internal investigation performed on an employee of Hertford County Public Schools did not result in the need for further disciplinary action.

Community Schools Director Ronald Gatling returned to work on Friday (June 1) following a one week suspension while local school officials looked into an allegation of misconduct against the veteran 12-year employee.

“I performed a judicious investigation that yielded no substantial evidence to warrant dismissal,” stated Julius Walker, interim Superintendent for Hertford County Public Schools.

Walkeradded that the investigation – performed by him along with Ralph Evans, interim HCPS Human Resources Director – was completed on Wednesday of this week. Gatling was notified on Thursday by certified mail of the findings of the investigation and reported to work one day later.

Gatling was suspended, with pay, on Thursday of last week.

Walkerdid add that during his probe into the matter, information surfaced that “shed new light” regarding the incident which warranted the investigation.

“The allegation of misconduct against Mr. Gatling supposedly took place in late March or early April of this year,”Walkersaid. “That allegation was made by a female high school student who was not on the campus of the high school in March or April. That student finished their course work early and graduated in December. Technically that person is no longer a student of Hertford County Public Schools.”

Gatling, who also serves HCPS as its Summer Enrichment Camp Director as well as being an elected Hertford County Commissioner, was contacted by this newspaper Friday afternoon and chose to make no comment. He has been employed by HCPS since February of 2000.