The Lee County School District and Kelly Services have terminated a substitute teacher, banning them from all district campuses. This decision followed allegations of assault on a student at Gateway Elementary School.
A parent, JJ Scott, shared his disbelief at a school board meeting after receiving a call last Thursday about the incident.
“I received a phone call from my wife, who was contacted by the school, that indicated there was an assault,” said Scott. “This is how they described it by a substitute teacher on my son, who’s 10 and in fifth grade, it was described that he was thrown to the ground by his wrist.”
Scott rushed to the school, located just minutes away, to check on his son.
“I was able to immediately get over there,” said Scott. “And I was told the details there, which included my son being grabbed by the wrists, unprovoked, for no apparent reason, as accounted by all the children in the class, and he was, in fact, thrown to the ground.”
WINK News received an email from the Lee County School District, stating the substitute teacher was promptly removed from the classroom and escorted off campus. The district confirmed this individual is no longer allowed to work at any Lee County schools.
The district also notified parents, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, and the Department of Children and Families. The substitute teacher was employed through Kelly Services.
“A statement was made that any further comment would have to be taken from Kelly Services, seemingly passing the buck a little bit to Kelly Services,” said Scott. “And my response to that is, I drop my kids off at Gateway Elementary School every day, not at Kelly Services.”
Kelly Services responded to inquiries, emphasizing the safety and well-being of students as their top priority.
“The substitute teacher has been terminated,” the company said in an email. “Our vetting system strictly adheres to all district requirements, ensuring we maintain the highest safety standards.”
Scott reported that his son has been attending school since the incident and is doing well.
“He’s okay,” said Scott. “There are no marks or anything like that left over.”