Teacher immunity ruling sends wrong message in closely watched Fulton County case
- COMMENT(1)
- 0 0 0 New
Related
Previous Posts
- Michelle Obama: 'I'm first.' Urges kids to become first generation to go to college
February 6, 2014 - New report: Fewer teachers in Georgia schools, but they have more experience, higher degrees. Steepest declines in rural Georgia.
February 6, 2014 - Time for Georgia to honor its promise to National Board Certified Teachers
February 6, 2014
Among those shocked by the granting of immunity to a former Fulton special ed teacher Tuesday was David Tolleson, executive director of the National Down Syndrome Congress. Tolleson agreed to write a piece for the AJC explaining why he feels the judge's decision was wrong.
Some background: Melanie Pickens was granted immunity from criminal prosecution by a judge based on charges that she punished disabled students by isolating them in dark bathrooms, playing back recorded screams into their ears and slamming them into lockers. The judge based his decision on state law, which protects teachers when they discipline students as long as their actions were done in “good faith.” Teachers are protected by state law because they need to be able to take appropriate disciplinary action without having to face potential lawsuits or criminal charges.
By David Tolleson
As executive director of the National Down Syndrome Congress, I am shocked and saddened by the recent ruling in the Melanie Pickens case. Both the leadership and membership of our organization are outraged by Fulton Superior Court Judge Henry Newkirk’s decision to grant Pickens immunity from criminal prosecution for the abuse of her students.
As we followed news reports of Pickens' alleged abuse of students in her care dating back to 2004, we applauded the Fulton County School System in investigating and removing her from