The Aromas-San Juan Unified School District confirmed Friday that an interim instructor has taken charge of a classroom at San Juan School, where a teacher in recent weeks allegedly slapped the arm of a student.
Superintendent Ruben Zepeda told BenitoLink March 13 that parents have raised concern over the allegedly physical punishment, as well as the efficiency of recent instruction in that classroom.
News of the incident involving a seventh-grade teacher and student was featured in a report by KSBW.com following the district’s board meeting Wednesday, when parents purportedly expressed outrage.
“What we heard in the board meeting from parents was that the teacher should not have put a hand on the student,” said Zepeda in a statement to BenitoLink. “Parents also voiced concerned about the education of their kids. They want to make sure their children can learn in a safe classroom.”
Though the office of the San Benito County District Attorney provided no comment on the incident and no confirmation over any potential charges related to it, a spokesperson there said that a response by that office to any complaint requires two key steps — a filing by the sheriff and subsequent consideration by the district attorney.
Zepeda said that the school district seeks to implement additional support for students of the class affected by the reported allegation against an educator.
“We currently have a substitute teacher in the classroom to help students refocus their efforts on learning as things calm down,” said Zepeda. “We’re now looking to put in place some additional supports for students such as a spring break intercession, where students can come in to catch up.”
Zepeda noted that the school district has a practice against disclosure of a teacher’s full name and job title.