Wake is getting some unwanted national media coverage right now.
ABC News (national and not just local) is reporting on the allegations of abuse of autistic students at Carroll Middle School in Raleigh. Stories about students being handcuffed and encouraged to wrestle one another helps explain why national media has been drawn to the lawsuit.
While Wake has declined Disability Rights North Carolina’s request for the names of students for privacy reasons, the ABC News article quotes the group as saying it’s due to fear of embarrassment.
”I'm not sure they're hiding something — I think we probably know most of the events that are going on in that classroom — but to confirm them would be an embarrassment to the school system,” said John Rittelmeyer, DRNC’s lawyer, in the ABC report.
Wake school officials say they’re conducting their own investigation of the allegations at Carroll.
"We take these allegations very seriously," said Superintendent Del Burns.
The ABC News story has generated more than 50 comments from people across the country.
Click here for the N&O article from Lynn Bonner that ran earlier this week.
Comments
Reality Check
Tue, 11/18/2008 - 19:28 — theangel1Okay, guys...most of these comments indicate that SOME of you are not taking taking this stuff very seriously. It's a matter of child abuse at school, and it should NOT be taken lightly. What are you trying to do about this? ABSOLUTELY NOTHING! You all should be ashamed of yourselves for not doing anything to help those poor students get the justice they deserve. I know how these students feel--I'm a student too. I want to help them, which is one reason I'm writing an essay on the need for special ed programs in schools like the wake county schools. What will you do?
Helpful information for parents and teachers
Sat, 09/20/2008 - 17:27 — Thomas D. Taylor (not verified)People wishing to learn how to transition their autistic children back to school or into a new school might benefit from listening to the following free audio podcast put out by Midnight In Chicago:
"Transitioning Autistics Back To School"
It can be found with many other Autism Spectrum Podcasts at www.mic.mypodcast.com
Prevention
Fri, 09/19/2008 - 16:55 — cicero01I commend the Disability Rights North Carolina (DRNC) for rejecting Anne Russell and Howard Garriss' discreditation of their daughter, Betsy Johnson, for allegedly having personality problems and being litigious. Johnson is one of the parents who is complaining about practices at the Carroll Middle School. A history of mental illness or being on probation of one of the complaining parents might impact DRNC's affidavits; it shouldn't be considered entirely a discrediting factor. However, DRNC has had bad image problems of late, and they've pulled out all stops to publicize this action. Let's hope that there will be a positive outcome from this. I have asked the DRNC to release a statement regarding these public revelations. [I also commend the N&O for removing Anne Russell's post on their Web site.]
Betsy Johnson/Carroll Middle School
Sun, 10/05/2008 - 10:41 — Dr. Anne Russell (not verified)Clarification: My husband Howard Garriss has made no comment whatsoever about my daughter Betsy Johnson, as he does not ever make public comment on anything. I made the comment because Betsy, whom I love deeply, has a long and recent history of falsely claiming abuse of herself and her children by many many people and entities, and causing many problems for the legal system. She has accused other schools in other counties of improper treatment of my grandson, who is a dear boy caught in a snare not of his making. If the facts show that indeed Carroll Middle School has harmed any student, I hope this will be corrected. But if this is another example of Betsy crying wolf and unnecessarily stirring up trouble, I hope the situation is quickly laid to rest for the sake of everyone. I am available to discuss this in a rational manner with anyone who is well-intended, including my daughter Betsy. Anne Russell PhD, Wilmington
LOVE IT!
Fri, 09/19/2008 - 11:23 — g88ky07How about that coverage Chuck, Del and Rosa!!!
Maybe while they're reporting we can get the medias attention on the septic tank style of education called MANDATORY YEAR ROUND that they have bullied parents with!
I'm SURE Chuck, Del and Rosa would like that!
Flushhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh...........................
What? National coverage
Fri, 09/19/2008 - 11:06 — rr77rr99What? National coverage that does not have one of WCPSS's finest getting an award?????? WHAT??????????????
Say it ain't so. My gosh. Whatever will the Great Oz do now?
Bring it on... bring those reporters out of AK (alright already with the Palin stuff) and let them start investigating how not to run a school system right here in Wake County, NC.
http://abcnews.go.com/TheLaw
Fri, 09/19/2008 - 09:26 — choice4allhttp://abcnews.go.com/TheLaw/story?id=5825945&page=1
Although this incident is horrible let us not forget it would not have come this far if WCPSS would have opened their doors to the investigation and not be the BULLEY in this matter. Why does it always take a lawsuit to get these people to listen....oh right...they are above the law...my bad..I forgot! More proof that this system is not Parent friendly. Now that it has captured National attention maybe ALL their bads will be disclosed (MYR fiasco,lawsuit). I could pretty much guess that this lawsuit would have not been filed if WCPSS would have cooperated in answering questions. Me thinks the lawyers are coming up with their usual sneaky answers. Spin...spin...spin.