KCK Student victim of sex act!
EDITOR’S COMMENTARY
MOTHER OF 10-YEAR-OLD STUDENT LIVID OVER SEX INCIDENT by Wayne Hodges
KANSAS CITY, KS – Sexual misconduct, many would probably agree, is hardly synonymous with 5th grade students. However, at Caruthers Elementary School in Kansas City, Kan., two male students, both with special needs, were recently found inside a restroom stall; engaged in what one parent described as “a horrible sexual encounter.” The impropriety, which took place during regular classroom hours on May 15th, is just simply too repulsive for newsprint. And the parents, understandably, are ‘white hot’ with anger.
According to the mother I interviewed for the story, two special needs students, which included her 10-year-old son, were left unattended inside the school restroom during a routine classroom break. A few moments later, the paraprofessional responsible for their care returned to the scene and witnessed the two boys engaging in the sexually explicit act. “I left my child with a total stranger who is supposed to teach and protect him like he was one of her own,” said the mother who asked to remain anonymous. “Instead, he was exposed to the cruel side of human nature and taken advantage of by another child with special needs.”
Now, comes the question inquisitive minds are dying to learn the answer to: why were the students left unattended in the first place? Apparently, the paraprofessional (who will also remain anonymous) was filling in as a replacement for the regular teacher. And, as we’re all painfully aware, the overall quality of classroom management usually suffers with a substitute at the helm; regardless the grade or educational level of the students.
That being said, shouldn’t all employees, whether permanent status or not, be required to read, comprehend, and conform to school board policy? If so, why did it take the paraprofessional 5 days to report the incident? “The regular teacher was absent so she was left in charge,” said the mother as she struggled to suppress her anger. “What she saw should have been reported to the principal right away. That would’ve been my first instinct.”
During a meeting with school faculty members on May 27th, the mother learned that Caruthers’ Principal Stacia Brown wasn’t notified of the incident until May 20th. A day later, on May 21st, the parents were informed. So, as you can tell, nearly a week had passed by before anything was reported to the proper authorities. Unbelievable! “The paraprofessional explained that she didn’t know the procedure after an event like that,” said the mother, shocked at the response. “It was a confidentiality issue so she chose to withhold the information through the weekend. She didn’t tell the regular teacher until the following Tuesday, after everyone had left.”
David Smith of KCKPS
In an effort to gather additional information, I made several phone calls to Principal Brown’s office. But, all attempts were unsuccessful. I did get a chance to speak with Mr. David Smith, Assistant to the Superintendent for Communications, for a brief moment. Due to the potential of legal action, Mr. Smith (pictured above) could not discuss details of the incident. However, he expressed the importance of responding to parental complaints in a timely manner, then insisted “the school board takes these types of matters very, very seriously.” Mr. Smith, who was very professional during the discussion, also mentioned any disciplinary action imposed against school faculty members and employees are not disclosed to the public.
Before I conclude, it should be noted; incidents of this nature are nearly impossible to anticipate. The internet, cable television and video games have made it convenient for children to gain access to mature subject matter which, on occasion, includes sexual content. The mother, however, blames the paraprofessional for negligence in this case. And her accusation certainly appears to have merit; especially when taking into account the para’s puzzling decision to leave the children alone in that type of environment. “I talked to Principal Brown about the monitoring policy,” said the mother. “And she said each student has the right to privacy in the restroom.”
Nevertheless, by the time all dialogue had ended, the paraprofessional offered her deepest apologies before adding: “I understand the proper thing to do now.” The mother, though forgiving, still believes a reprimand should be in order; even if the penalty remains in secrecy from the public. “Mrs. Brown needs to train her paraprofessionals and substitutes to handle adversity better,” said the mother as we wrapped-up the interview. “Having someone on staff who is unfamiliar with standard operating procedures is definitely a safety issue.”
Wayne Hodges, an MBA from St. Mary University, is the editor of “Mass Appeal News.” He is also an adjunct professor, MPA at Kansas University, and legislative intern with the Kansas Senate. Wayne welcomes your comments at whodges@massappealnews.com
To view a school sex education feature, click the play arrow.
June 8th, 2009 at 8:03 pm
What the hell is goin on in these schools today? You mean to tell me the board of education placed somebody in charge of special needs students who don’t know standard operating procedures? This is just another black eye for KCK schools.
June 8th, 2009 at 8:06 pm
You hang in there and keep telling the truth!
June 8th, 2009 at 8:16 pm
If it’s the school board’s policy to not disclose disciplinary action of its employees, how will the parents know if justice has been served? Sounds like they need to hire a lawyer.
June 8th, 2009 at 8:45 pm
It’s a damn shame. I’ll keep both families in my prayer.
June 8th, 2009 at 9:36 pm
Wayne, I know you didnt discuss this in your article, but are the parents seeking therapy for their children?
June 8th, 2009 at 10:20 pm
This is very disappointing news. The school board should offer a formal apology to both families, and the worker should be terminated. I am both sad and disgusted with this article. My thoughts and prayer go out to the families.
June 9th, 2009 at 7:01 am
Sounds like the para was unprepared from a training perspective. But an incident like this should never happen. I can’t imagine what the parents are going through. But the most important thing right now is the children. Hopefully the parents will seek good counseling.
June 9th, 2009 at 5:16 pm
Breena, I agree…the parents should hire a lawyer. The emotional and physical damage caused to those children will never be erased no matter how many apologies are issued. The substitute seems to be unclear of school policy but common sense should still tell you that when an incident of this severity takes place, the proper people must be notified immediately. Explaining that she “didn’t know the procedure after an event like that” is inexcusable and she should lose her job.
June 9th, 2009 at 6:34 pm
This situation is sad no doubt but where did they learn about sex anyway? They had to have seen something to spark their interest. Parents have to start being more careful when expressing affection around kids. We lose sight that they are always watchin us.
June 10th, 2009 at 5:37 am
Mr. Hodges I see in your article you spoke with the Assistant Superintendent, but perhaps you should attempt to contact the head Superintendent. I’m sure he or she is aware of the incident by now but maybe you’ll receive better clarification of school board policy.
June 10th, 2009 at 9:57 pm
Has the superintendent talked to either of the parents?
June 12th, 2009 at 6:04 am
This entire situation is truly unfortunate. My thoughts and prayers go out to the families.
June 14th, 2009 at 10:04 am
I don’t live in KCK, and I’m not familiar with the school district, but I would be shocked if there’s no disciplinary action. The quality of education in public schools is not really all that good in the first place, but having negligent personnel on staff makes it just that much worse.
June 14th, 2009 at 11:48 pm
Damn public schools are goin downhill. If you can’t trust sendin your kids to school without somethin crazy happenin what does that say about the future of education? Who can you trust?
June 20th, 2009 at 4:47 pm
I’m a little late…just now reading this article. I live in Independence but Im familiar with USD #500 and I wouldnt send a stray dog to one of their schools. Im not surprised at the neglience of the para cause most of the teachers in KCK don’t care about the students. They just show up to get some experience and a check and then they go back to Johnson county, Leavenworth or wherever they from. The teaching is awful but they wonder why the students are below state average in every key category from reading to math. The superintendent and her flock of puppets should all be fired and replaced with someone who gives a damn!!!
July 15th, 2009 at 8:04 pm
wOW, cYPHER tHAT’S qUITE a rESPONSE…yOU oBVIOUSLY hAVE aN aX tO gRIND wITH tHE sCHOOL dISTRICT