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Pasco School Worker In Mouth Taping Case Resigns

Tribune file photo by CHRIS URSO

Pasco County School District officials launched an investigation into the allegations at Seven Oaks Elementary School after a parent complained on April 25.

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By RONNIE BLAIR | The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 7, 2008

WESLEY CHAPEL - A Seven Oaks Elementary paraprofessional who was investigated after a parent complained she taped students' mouths shut has resigned, a Pasco County School District official said today.

That puts an end to the case because the sheriff's office already determined no crime was committed and the paraprofessional held no certification that state officials would need to review, Assistant Superintendent Renalia DuBose said.

The employee's resignation was accepted without comment by the Pasco County School Board on Tuesday as part of several other personnel changes.

A parent complained to school officials April 25 after another parent told her a substitute teacher taped children's mouths to keep them from talking when they were supposed to be reading. The parent, Tiffany Spurling, said her daughter also reportedly was strapped to a chair with a belt.

No substitute teacher was involved, but the paraprofessional was removed from the classroom and questioned. The sheriff's office investigated and determined there was no evidence of child abuse.

The school district continued to review the case, though, because the employee's actions were problematic, if not illegal, DuBose said.

"We found some serious poor judgment," DuBose said.

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