CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Channel 9 is working to learn whether a Charlotte-Mecklenburg teaching assistant violated federal law when he slapped a student at Metro School who has autism.
Eyewitness News has followed every development since it obtained video of the assault.
For the first time, a CMS administrator answered Channel 9’s questions about changes at the school after the video surfaced.
Gina Smith, the supervising superintendent of Metro School, told Eyewitness News anchor Liz Foster that district staff reviewed protocols for teachers and did an audit on staff training.
Parents are requesting more changes.
"The mistreatment of any student is unthinkable. The mistreatment of a child with special needs is unimaginable," parent Jeff West told the school board Tuesday night.
West was one of several people who showed up at the school board meeting with signs that read "Stop Child Abuse Metro School."
"I'm encouraging you to take action now. There is no more time to wait. We don’t need another incident to happen," Nancy Collins said to the school board.
Foster contacted all nine school board members Wednesday to ask if there are plans to make changes at the school for children with disabilities.
District 5 representative Eric Davis emailed: "Whatever decisions we make will originate with the superintendent and if board action is required, she will come to us."
Channel 9 learned that the U.S. Department of Education released new guidance on federal civil rights laws in December, protecting the rights of students with disabilities.
It came after data showed that in 99 percent of public schools nationwide, "schools restrain and seclude students with disabilities at higher rates than students without disabilities."
Channel 9 asked the Department of Education if the video showing the assault at Metro School violates the department's instruction on restraint and seclusion and if it appears to violate federal civil rights laws protecting students with disabilities.
We did not get an immediate response.
The principal of Metro School is retiring March 1.
District staff stressed that the retirement is not related to the abuse investigation.
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