TOLEDO, Ohio — Students returned to class Wednesday at Christ the King School in west Toledo and lined the hallways to welcome back their principal.
Steve Urbanski was place on administrative leave in early December after an allegation of abuse was reported to Lucas County Children Services. An investigation by Toledo police and LCCS determined the allegation was unsubstantiated and he returned to work Dec. 22.
An emotional Urbanski walked through the doors Wednesday as students returned from Christmas break. Dozens of kids and parents lined the hallways to bump fists with Urbanski as he passed by.
Many were holding handmade signs and balloons.
WTOL 11 obtained a copy of Urbanski's letter to parents and students, which can be found below. In it, he thanked the many people who supported him throughout the investigation.
"The impact this experience has had on my family and those close to us cannot be expressed in words," Urbanski said in the letter. "It is impossible for us not to come out of a situation like this feeling wounded and these scars do not heal overnight.
"The one thing that did come from this experience, was the outpouring of love and support from all of you. For those that reached out to me, my wife, my parents, my sisters, and in-laws. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, thank you. Your positive messages meant more to us than you will ever know. I want to reach out to every one of you and share with you our appreciation."
Urbanski declined an interview request Wednesday.
The allegation did not involve a current student at Christ the King.
Urbanski "is an employee in good standing, up to date on his required child protection training, current with his Ohio Department of Education licensure requirements, and this is the only such allegation which has ever been received in his regard," pastor Dave Nuss said at the time of Urbanski's reinstatement.