The suspended principal of Hilton’s Northwood Elementary School appeared in Greece Town Court Wednesday night, accused of sexually abusing nine young male students.
Kirk Ashton is charged with endangering the welfare of a child, first degree sexual abuse and course of sexual conduct. The abused were students at Northwood, and state police say more victims are possible. Ashton pleaded “Not Guilty.” He was ordered held on $1 million bond. He had been put on leave by the school district last week “pending an investigation,” but the district at the time did not say what was being investigated.
Wednesday night, the Spencerport School District said “the school district has been cooperating fully with the State Police. Our primary concern is for our students. Our district crisis team has formulated a plan to support students and staff, and counselors are available for students throughout the day.” The district says it’s also working with the Bivona Child Advocacy Center.
At a Thursday morning news conference, State Police Major Barry Chase said the 51-year-old Ashton was to return to court later in the month. He said the allegations against Ashton were reported to the New York State Child Abuse hotline last month, and Ashton did not return to school after the allegations were reported. State police ask anyone else with allegations against Ashton to contact them.
Major Chase says Ashton was principal at Northwood for 17 years and the abuse may have gone back that far. That’s now under investigation. The current charges date back to 2017, with the victims eight to 12 years old. He says all the incidents occurred in the school.
Monroe County DA Sandra Doorley said a preliminary hearing on Ashton will be held April 20th, but the cases will also be presented to a Grand Jury.