Richland 2 instructors abused pre-school special needs students, lawsuits say

Instructors at Bookman Road Elementary School in Richland District 2 physically and verbally abused special needs preschoolers, who were called “farm animals,” according to four lawsuits filed last week.

The lawsuits claim non-verbal 4-year-olds were hit, humiliated and threatened last fall in a 4k special education classroom at Bookman Road.

The four students started behaving strangely and showed signs of emotional distress shortly after being placed in the classroom, according to the lawsuits. The classroom was overseen by a special education teacher, a special education assistant, and a special education teacher’s aide.

An audio recording captured the three staff members striking the students, screaming at them, calling them “farm animals” and “birth control,” and telling them they were dirty. The recording was turned in to the school administration and the principal, the lawsuits claim.

The lawsuits assert that even after being presented with the recording, the principal and administration failed to warn parents about the abuse and made no efforts to prevent further abuse. The claims also state that the school was slow to remove the staff members from the special education classroom after the recording was turned in.

The failure of the school district to properly hire, train and supervise staff endangered the students, according to the complaints.

Two of the staff members are still employed by the district, Richland 2 spokesperson Ishmael Tate said. The third staff member has resigned.

Tate declined to comment on the allegations.