Parent says middle school employee made inappropriate comment to son
By Lisa Crane
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KIMBERLY, Alabama (WVTM) — A North Jefferson Middle School parent says a school employee made an inappropriate, sexually suggestive comment to his 12-year-old son in front of classmates. The Jefferson County School Superintendent said the comments were unacceptable and the matter was reviewed and addressed under district policy.
Austyn Mayes said the incident happened in the school library while his son was horsing around with another student. Mayes said his son reported the comment to the principal.
“He said, ‘You boys have a seriously strange relationship. Why don’t you just go ahead and grab each other’s crotches?’” Mayes said.
More than a week later, Mayes and the boy’s mother met with the principal and the employee. The family recorded the meeting, which lasted more than an hour.
During the conversation, Mayes challenged the employee’s handling of the incident. The employee described it as an effort to embarrass the students.
“Wasn’t a bully issue; it was an embarrassment issue. I thought if I embarrassed the two of them,” the employee said.
“So that was your solution was to embarrass him in front of a classroom because you were, because he had behavior issues,” The student’s mother replied.
In the recording, the employee later said, “I understand you’re upset, and, yeah, I probably shouldn’t have said what I said.”
According to Mayes, the principal suggested the employee review the school handbook and receive support from a classroom behavior specialist. Mayes said that response did not go far enough.
Jefferson County School Superintendent Dr. Walter Gonsoulin said in a statement:
“We hold our faculty and staff to high standards of conduct and professionalism. Certain comments made in this situation were unacceptable and fall well short of our expectations for how employees interact with students. The matter was thoroughly reviewed and addressed in accordance with district policy, and while privacy considerations limit further detail, Jefferson County Schools remains committed to ensuring every classroom provides a safe, respectful environment for our students.”
Mayes said he may file a lawsuit to push for changes at the school.
“I will not accept a dime from the school. All I want to see is reform,” Mayes said.
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