By Leisa Zigman I-Team Reporter
Wellston, MO (KSDK) - Normandy's Board of Education confirmed it had suspended a high school security guard pending the outcome of an alleged investigation into excessive use of force against a student.
School Board President Joyce McRath began Wednesday night's meeting by reading a prepared statement. It said, "As a district we consider the health and safety of all our students to be of paramount importance... Under FERPA, the federal Family Education Right and Privacy Act, we can not disclose the nature of the incident or details surround it. However, the incident is under investigation and the Normandy School District is cooperating with local police on the matter."
The incident which reportedly involved a security guard and a student happened October 21, 2011. His crime, according to his grandmother, is that he was late to class. His family says, when security saw him in the hallway, he took off running. The security officer that caught him allegedly caused the injuries that were so severe it ruptured his heart. But until the I-Team started asking questions, police were not investigating.
At Wednesday's School Board meeting, parents like Ronnie Robinson were disgusted at what they called the district's lack of accountability.
"If we can't depend on the adults in the school district to do what they need to do as well as the police department, then who is looking out for our kids," said Robinson.
While there is now an investigation, a self described civic watchdog and former volunteer teacher at the high school claims he's witnessed a pattern of aggressive behavior.
"I have seen security people take a small student girl, force her to the ground, and step on the back of her head with a heel with her face into the concrete," said Dryver Henderson.
District officials say the security guard is suspended with pay pending the outcome of the investigation.
The I-Team has confirmed the FBI is investigating whether the guard used excessive force.
KSDK