The Washtenaw Intermediate School District operates special education programs in Washtenaw County, Michigan, for students with moderate to severe disabilities. In January 2009, a WISD teacher's aide was arraigned on two counts each of child abuse and assault and battery. He was accused of slapping and shoving two special education students under his care.
The incidents leading to the arraignment were brought to light in October 2008, when parents reported them to the WISD. The WISD conducted an internal investigation and placed the aide on disciplinary leave for failure to follow behavior plans. He was later transferred from Scarlett Elementary School where the incidents occurred to a special education classroom at High Point School. Both schools are in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
The parents were not satisfied with the response of the WISD and reported the incidents to the police for investigation. They felt the aide should have been removed from working with children. The charges of child abuse and battery came out of the police investigation.
In December, 2008, William Miller, the WISD Superintendent reopened the investigation and put two administrators on leave.
An internal investigation revealed that the WISD Director of Special Education failed to investigate other allegations that had occurred and told a teacher and teacher's aide to keep quiet and not to document incidents while she investigated them.
In February, 2009, the WISD Director of Special Education resigned under an agreement that she is barred from working for the district again. School district employees who suspect child abuse must report these allegations to the state. The incidents were not reported.
The aide was fired by the WISD and bound over for child abuse charges in February.
Here are links to the coverage in the Ann Arbor News:
Washtenaw Intermediate School District aide charged with child abuse
Posted by David Jesse | The Ann Arbor News January 22, 2009 15:59PM
2 WISD administrators placed on leave; district investigating whether child abuse laws followed
Posted by David Jesse | The Ann Arbor News January 28, 2009
Ex-school district staffer told others to stay mum, then botched probe of allegedly abusive aide
Posted by David Jesse | The Ann Arbor News February 14, 2009
Ex-WISD teacher's aide accused of assaulting students ordered to stand trial
Posted by David Jesse | The Ann Arbor News February 18, 2009
WISD special ed chief will be paid until April 30
Posted by David Jesse | The Ann Arbor News February 20, 2009 12:08PM
Investigation Report submitted to the WISD Board of Education, February 10, 2009
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