Parent Accuses School Principal Of Abuse

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Parent Accuses School Principal Of Abuse

Reported by:

Email: rsmith@...

Last Update: 1/13 6:37 pm

TULSA, OK -- A 13 year old boy's parents say he was physically abused at the

hands of an assistant principal and security guard at Hamilton Middle School.

Tulsa Police are investigating and say the markings found on the boy on January

4th are consistent with him being in some type of struggle.

Larry Bruce says that day staff members at Hamilton Middle School called him to

pick up his son in response to what he says was an incident of abuse involving

his son.

" He's scared to death, " said Bruce. " He is scared to death that they're going to

do it to him again. "

Tulsa Police are investigating marks found on the boy and how they got there.

" They were mainly worse on his shoulders and his neck, " he said. " You could tell

where there was a hand print on his neck. You can tell where there'd been a foot

on his shoulder to hold him down. "

The student, who has a form of Autism called Asperger's Syndrome, was, according

to police, involved in a fight with another student. He was then sent to the

office and then the assistant principal was called in to help subdue him.

Police say the principal and a security guard claim the boy assaulted them.

Police also say they did find evidence on the boy consistent with some type of

struggle.

" You can't treat him like a normal child. He may be 13, but some of his actions

are 6 year old, 8 year old, 10 year old. "

The Tulsa Public Schools district says it's found no fault in the Hamilton

staff's disciplinary actions and it denies all allegations of abuse of any

student at Hamilton Middle.

" If that was us, who would be at my house? DHS. They would haul my butt to jail.

But, if a Tulsa Public Schools person does it they're not going to do anything?

That's not right. "

Here's Tulsa Public Schools full response to the allegation, including the

district's policy regarding discipline:

Wednesday, January 13, 2010:

While TPS is prohibited by law from speaking about specific student discipline

issues, the district is committed to providing quality learning experiences for

each and every student, every day, without exception. The staff at Hamilton

Middle School and all Tulsa Public Schools respond to students' behavioral

issues according to the district's Behavior Response Plan.

Tulsa Public Schools thoroughly investigates allegations of abuse and will act

swiftly to protect students when protection is warranted. Without going into

specifics about any student, the district has found no fault in the Hamilton

staff's disciplinary actions with regard to any student this school year. Tulsa

Public Schools categorically denies any and all allegations of abuse of any

student at Hamilton Middle School.

Following is an excerpt from the TPS Behavior Response Plan, which governs

discipline in schools. Please refer questions about any ongoing criminal

investigations to the Tulsa Police Office of Public Information.

TPS Behavior Response Plan, page 3

EXPECTATIONS FOR STUDENT BEHAVIOR IN TULSA PUBLIC SCHOOLS

The Tulsa Board of Education, by its authority, establishes the following

student behavioral expectations as a necessary part of the learning process.

These behavioral expectations are critical to academic development.

All students will:

· Show respect to others and for the rights of others

· Respect the authority of all school personnel

· Behave in a courteous manner

· Learn and demonstrate acceptable social behavior

· Bring necessary materials to all classes and actively participate in

the learning process

· Contribute to a positive learning environment through appropriate

personal hygiene habits and clothing consistent with the school dress code

· Adhere to all school rules and regulations

Corporal punishment is prohibited. No student will be subject to corporal

punishment by teachers, administrators, students or other school personnel.

Physical restraint is permitted only if it is reasonable and necessary in order

to control a disturbance.