BENTONVILLE (KFSM) - The Bentonville School District received a report this week on its Adventure Club after-school program, saying the program's policies and procedures are "adequate."
The report, submitted by the Mitchell Williams law firm of Rogers, also offers recommendations on how to improve the program, including more training for school district employees.
Ali Martin Matar, 21, a former Bentonville School District employee, was arrested in May after being accused of sexually assaulting three girls in the Adventure Club after-school program at R.E. Baker Elementary, authorities said. He has pleaded not guilty to charges of rape and sexual assault and is set to appear in court Sept. 19 in Benton County.
The report (which can be found here) stated that after authorities reviewed available information concerning Matar, investigators found that Adventure Club Program administrators appear to have complied with all school district policies.
"Policy related to the screening, hiring and background checks appear to have been followed with respect to [Matar]," the report states. "Further, Matar received in excess of 25 hours of documented training during the 2013-2014 school year, as required."
No evidence was found that the school district or program leaders had knowledge of the rape accusations brought against Matar before May 12, when his access to the school property was restricted, the report states.
He did not return to employment after his arrest and was fired on May 19, according to the report.
Matar took effort to conceal his alleged crimes from detection by coworkers, supervisors and those around him, the report states.