Stanley Renda, the band director at Ogden High School, has been placed on paid administrative leave by the Ogden School District following an arrest for aggravated assault and domestic violence, school officials announced Wednesday.
Administrative Leave and Clarification
The decision to place Renda on leave followed an incident on Friday, Aug. 28, that resulted in his arrest on Saturday, Aug. 29, according to court documents. While an initial email sent to parents and students on Wednesday morning incorrectly stated that Renda had been fired, the Ogden School District clarified on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026, that his employment is currently on paid administrative leave.
District Response to Arrest
The Ogden School District confirmed that Renda's employment was placed on leave on Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026. Jer Bates, the district's Director of Communications, stated that the district is aware of the legal matters involving Renda but noted that state law protects confidential personnel information, limiting the amount of detail the district can disclose. Bates added that the district has no information indicating that students, school activities, or school-related conduct were involved in the off-campus incident.
Details of Arrest Affidavit
According to an affidavit of probable cause, officers were called to a residence in Ogden on Friday evening following a report of a family disturbance. The documents state that during an argument, a victim entered the shower, at which point Renda allegedly dragged her from the shower by her hair and into another room. The victim reported that Renda applied pressure to her neck to the point that she believed she would pass out.
Allegations of Assault
The assault allegedly continued as the victim struggled to free herself, at which point Renda reportedly struck her in the face multiple times. Court records indicate that Renda's two young children were in an adjacent room during the altercation. Furthermore, the affidavit notes that before officers arrived at the scene, Renda began cleaning up the mess made during the fight, which included the victim's blood.
Criminal Charges Faced
Renda faces several criminal charges resulting from the incident, including one count of aggravated assault that produces loss of consciousness, two counts of domestic violence in the presence of a child involving strangulation or choking, and one count of obstruction of justice. The victim's injuries substantiated her statements to officers, according to the police affidavit.
Impact on School Activities
In response to the staffing change, the Ogden School District has implemented immediate adjustments to ensure minimal disruption to students. Existing band staff and district music leaders are currently assuming expanded responsibilities while the district begins the process of filling the band director position. The district stated its priority is to support students and maintain scheduled rehearsals, performances, and competitions.
Student Support and Next Steps
District leaders have stated that counseling and administrative support are available to students as they process the unexpected change. While the district has moved to address the vacancy, it has maintained that it will not characterize unresolved allegations or comment further on the ongoing legal proceedings involving Renda.
