IPS superintendent: video of student attack is ‘appalling and disturbing’

Indianapolis Public Schools Superintendent Aleesia Johnson said the district “fell short” for not informing parents that a teacher was accused of filming the alleged abuse of a second grade student with disabilities by a classmate. Johnson also described the footage as “appalling and disturbing” in a& video statement released Wednesday& afternoon by the district. It was the first time Johnson spoke publicly since a& lawsuit was filed last week& by the parent of the second grade student who accuses the teacher of orchestrating a “fight club” style of discipline last fall at George Washington Carver Montessori School 87. “When a parent sends their child to school it is with the understanding and expectation that school staff will do all they can to keep their child safe, both physically and emotionally,” Johnson said in the video. “It is also the expectation of a parent that if their child’s safety is compromised, that staff will respond quickly and transparently in addressing the situation.” Parents of School 87 students told WFYI& they are upset they weren’t notified about the investigation or the claims of abuse until media reports last week.& Johnson, who said she’s talked with families at the school, said external and...