Russellville School District Responds to Abuse Accusations
By: KARK 4 News
Updated: November 16, 2012
The Russellville School District has responded to parents who say their special needs children have been mistreated by teachers at Sequoia Elementary School.
The district issued the following statement Friday afternoon:
Under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, we must protect the confidentiality of student information. This means we cannot respond to news reports with any specificity. While we cannot comment specifically, there is some general information that may be helpful.
RSD employees involved in this matter have performed in a professional manner in dealing with a very difficult situation. These employees are well trained, dedicated people who, on a daily basis, work with students who at times exhibit dangerous, aggressive behaviors and other serious manifestations of the problems faced by these students. School personnel have at times received medical attention for injuries sustained while performing their duties. They have a heart for the children they serve and for the parents of the children in their program. We are confident that our employees are performing their duties as trained. No one on our staff has had any founded complaint of abuse against them.
The root of the complaints being aired through the media is a disagreement over educational placement decisions. The district always endeavors to place students in the most appropriate setting to meet their educational and behavioral needs. The district believes their Alternative Learning Environment is a more protective environment and provides additional social and emotional support for certain students who need such support. Maintaining the safety of all our students and staff is always of uppermost importance. The district's goal is to have all students in the most appropriate setting and ensure the safety and welfare of all students.
Our hearts go out to all parents who are facing difficult situations with children who have serious behavioral needs. We share the difficulties they face. We will continue to work with all parents to meet the needs of their children.
The district issued the following statement Friday afternoon:
Under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, we must protect the confidentiality of student information. This means we cannot respond to news reports with any specificity. While we cannot comment specifically, there is some general information that may be helpful.
RSD employees involved in this matter have performed in a professional manner in dealing with a very difficult situation. These employees are well trained, dedicated people who, on a daily basis, work with students who at times exhibit dangerous, aggressive behaviors and other serious manifestations of the problems faced by these students. School personnel have at times received medical attention for injuries sustained while performing their duties. They have a heart for the children they serve and for the parents of the children in their program. We are confident that our employees are performing their duties as trained. No one on our staff has had any founded complaint of abuse against them.
The root of the complaints being aired through the media is a disagreement over educational placement decisions. The district always endeavors to place students in the most appropriate setting to meet their educational and behavioral needs. The district believes their Alternative Learning Environment is a more protective environment and provides additional social and emotional support for certain students who need such support. Maintaining the safety of all our students and staff is always of uppermost importance. The district's goal is to have all students in the most appropriate setting and ensure the safety and welfare of all students.
Our hearts go out to all parents who are facing difficult situations with children who have serious behavioral needs. We share the difficulties they face. We will continue to work with all parents to meet the needs of their children.
