Patriot High School's David Van Gelder announced via electronic notification, Jan. 9, that Patriot Principal Dr. Michael Bishop would be going on leave, and he would be assuming the position of acting principal.
Last week, Prince William County Schools director of communications Dianna Gulotta said the Prince William County Schools could not discuss the personnel matter, but confirmed that Bishop's leave was involuntary.
PWCS was investigating a locker room attack at Patriot that was caught on video.
However, the leave also corresponds to Bishop's son recently pleading guilty to charges of Aggravated Sexual Battery and former school board chairman Ryan Sawyers sharing information about Nathan Bishop's connection to Patriot on social media.
Patriot High School is located in Nokesville but serves primarily a Bristow population. Bishop has served as principal since the opening of the school in 2011.
Patriot Locker Room Attack
The school division is (or was) investigating an incident of an alleged assault by two boys on one that occurred in Patriot High School’s locker room during an athletic practice in late October of 2024.
The incident was caught on video and made its way to social media. The incident depicted in the video is graphic and may be a ritual hazing incident.
While the student's parents decided not to file criminal charges against the boys, the school division decided to investigate the incident.
Gulotta provided this information to media outlets.
“Upon learning of the incident, PWCS immediately launched a thorough investigation including law enforcement. We are working closely with all parties involved, including students, parents, and staff, to address the situation appropriately. Disciplinary actions will be taken as appropriate in accordance with our school’s code of conduct. We have also emailed a letter to students, staff, and parents/guardians at Patriot High School.”
“Our primary concern is the well-being and safety of all our students. We are committed to fostering a respectful and supportive environment. We appreciate the cooperation and understanding of our community as we navigate this challenging situation. We will continue to provide updates as necessary and encourage anyone with further information to come forward and report the information to the Prince William County Police Department.”
Family Connections
The timing corresponds to Dr. Bishop’s son Nathan Michael Bishop pleading guilty to charges of Aggravated Sexual Battery upon allegations of rape of a helpless victim in April of 2022 when he was 18.
Previous chairman a-large of the Prince William School Board Ryan Sawyers posted information on Facebook in late December, continuing into this year, concerning Nathan Bishop's relation to Patriot High School. He made people aware that PWCS employed Nathan before and after his arrest.
Nathan surrendered himself to Prince William Police for arrest on June 14, 2023. According to work records, Sawyers obtained, Nathan clocked into his job at facility services in the central office on June 13 and June 14. Schools were not yet on summer break at the time.
Prince William County Schools verified that Nathan Michael Bishop, of Bristow, now 20, was employed by Prince William County Schools in June of 2023, during the period of his investigation and arrest on charges of rape of a helpless victim.
Neither Nathan nor Dr. Bishop informed Prince William County Schools of the investigation.
Prince William County Schools said Nathan Bishop had passed a background check. Nathan resigned his position at PWCS within four days of his arrest.
Despite rumors, Nathan was not employed at Patriot High School.
The crime of Aggravated Sexual Battery to which Nathan pled guilty, mandates a minimum of one and a maximum of 20 years of incarceration. Nathan Bishop has already served time in a county detention facility. He will be registered as a sex offender. Nathan Bishop's sentencing has been postponed until 2026. He is currently unable to see the victim.
Bristow Beat is still investigating Nathan's ties to Patriot High School post-graduation. Nathan Bishop was a star varsity baseball player with Patriot High School and began attendance at Roanoke College the following year.
Sawyers and Bishop were involved with competing youth baseball leagues, and the two men have a long history of conflict that resulted in lawsuits. The conflict continued into Sawyer’s tenure as school board chair. Sawyers had previously used the Freedom of Information Act to investigate Bishop via Prince William County Schools.
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