TBO.com - Tampa Bay Online
Mom Says Students' Mouths Taped Shut
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Published: April 26, 2008
WESLEY CHAPEL - Two employees were removed from a Seven Oaks Elementary classroom and questioned Friday amid allegations that one of them taped students' mouths shut to discipline them.
"This shouldn't happen," said Tiffany Spurling, who said her daughter, MacKenzie, was one of the first-graders involved. "Something needs to be done."
Spurling said her daughter also reportedly was strapped to a chair with a belt because she was sitting improperly.
After an initial investigation, school officials turned the case over to the Pasco County Sheriff's Office, Assistant Superintendent Renalia DuBose said.
Some students were interviewed, but otherwise an effort was made to keep the classroom focused on learning, she said.
DuBose would not identify the two employees or say what positions they hold at the school. Spurling said it was her understanding a substitute teacher was involved, but DuBose said that wasn't the case.
DuBose referred other questions about the case to the sheriff's office.
A sheriff's spokesman would not confirm whether the sheriff's office is investigating.
DuBose said district officials learned of the allegations before school began Friday morning when a reporter called after Spurling contacted the media. Principal B.J. Smith then called the district office in Land O' Lakes.
"We did not get a parent call," DuBose said.
Spurling said she learned of the incident about 6 p.m. Thursday.
She said another mother told her that a substitute teacher taped the mouths of MacKenzie and a few classmates to keep them from talking when they were supposed to be reading. Spurling said she asked her daughter about it and was told it was true.
"She was scared. She thought she was in trouble," Spurling said.
"My daughter is well-behaved, from what I understand," Spurling said. "She has never been sent to the principal's office. There have never been any phone calls to me saying there was any type of misconduct at all on her part."
DuBose said taping a child's mouth would not be appropriate discipline.
She said that whenever there is an allegation about misconduct by employees, the district investigates and cooperates with law enforcement officials.
"We're committed to providing a safe and secure learning environment for all our students," DuBose said.
Reporter Ronnie Blair can be reached at (813) 948-4218 or rblair@tampatrib.com. Reporter Keith Morelli can be reached at (813) 259-7760 or kmorelli@tampatrib.com.
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