BY CINDY SCHROEDER
The Cincinnati Enquirer
NEWPORT -- Successful prosecution Thursday of three parents accused of teacher abuse should send the message that threatening behavior won't be tolerated in the school system, the superintendent of Bellevue Independent Schools said.
"I would never recommend to our staff that they pursue mediation in any case involving a parent who used vulgar, filthy language in the presence of women and children, or threatened staff members," said Ora Cobb, Bellevue superintendent. "As long as I'm superintendent, I will not tolerate that type of behavior."
Mr. Cobb made his comments after Campbell District Judge Mickey Foellger found Grandview Elementary parent Ronnie Smith guilty of violating Kentucky's little-used teacher abuse law. The first-time offender was fined $100, but Mr. Smith will only have to pay $50, as long as there are no further problems at school, the judge ordered. Mr. Smith also must pay $63.50 in court costs.
Before Mr. Smith's bench trial, Judge Foellger sentenced parents Donnie and Cathy Riley, who earlier had pleaded guilty to teacher abuse at the same school, to 15 days in jail, but probated the sentence for two years, provided there are no further problems at the school. The Rileys, who must pay a $100 fine and court costs, also cannot go inside Grandview Elementary for the next two years -- the time that a younger son will attend the school -- without an appointment, the judge said.
The misdemeanor teacher abuse charge provides a maximum penalty of a year in jail and a $500 fine.
The Rileys, who earlier had told the Enquirer that they were upset about the school's handling of the alleged harassment of their sixth-grade son, declined comment after their sentencing Thursday. Their lawyer, Michael Walters, would only say, "I know they feel bad about the incident."
After Thursday's proceedings, Mr. Cobb said the Rileys had used abusive language with school staff during their April 7 visit, and he added Mr. Riley "threatened to whip (Principal Eileen Whaley)." "I just would like to say that both incidents were isolated and they do not reflect the strong support that Grandview parents give to the staff and I personally every day," Ms. Whaley said. At Mr. Smith's trial, six school employees testified that he used vulgar language in front of children and school personnel on April 8, spoke loudly, and disobeyed a school policy that calls for all visitors to get a pass at the central office before wandering the halls.
Office assistant Patty Ludwig said under oath that Mr. Smith was so angry she shoved her two children into a closet, and closed the door, because of concern for their safety.
Mr. Smith did not deny speaking loudly or using foul language. However, he testified he was upset because his 6-year-old son had disappeared from the school playground earlier that day, and school officials had failed to immediately notify him, a claim school employees denied.
Mr. Smith also testified he was upset because another of his children was not allowed to re-enter the school, after being dismissed for the day, to check on an older child.
Mr. Cobb said Grandview Elementary's new safe school policy prohibits students from entering the building once they're dismissed, so that school staff "know exactly who's in the buildings."
While there have been no past incidents to prompt the policy, Mr. Cobb said, "You just never know in this day and age."
