Inclusion Daily Express -- Former State School Supporters Now Remove Kids Over Abuse Claims

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Former State School Supporters Now Remove Kids Over Abuse Claims
By Dave Reynolds, Inclusion Daily Express
March 7, 2008

MAPAVILLE, MISSOURI--Parents that fought to keep a segregated, special education school open just a few months ago, are now pulling their children out and accusing staff of neglecting and even abusing the kids.

Last year, the state considered closing Mapaville State School because of financial reasons. Several parents lobbied the state and successfully kept the facility from being shuttered.

But a few weeks ago, parents of some of the 36 students with disabilities at the school became suspicious and started hiding audio recorders in their children's backpacks.

What they heard when they listened to those recordings changed their minds about the school and its staff.

Some of the audiotapes reportedly include staff using inappropriate language, shouting at the children, leaving some children for hours without any interaction, and even what sound like children being slapped.

"If I knew then what I know now, I would not have fought for the school the way I did," said Sheila Scott, who has pulled her 11-year-old son out of the school. "We put our blood sweat and tears into saving that school, and to be ignored like this, there are no excuses."

The parents have turned the recordings over to the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office to decide whether criminal charges should be filed.

School officials said they plan to retrain all of the staff.

The parents, however, say that isn't enough. They are calling for video cameras to be installed in the classrooms and for some of the staff to be fired.

Related:
"Parents pull children from state school amid abuse allegations" (Jefferson County Journal)
http://www.inclusiondaily.com/news/2008/red/0307a.htm
"Jeffco police investigate state school for disabled" (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)
http://www.inclusiondaily.com/news/2008/red/0307b.htm

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