Deeply disturbing photos of an upstate classroom’s wooden “time-out’’ box with bare walls and a padded floor surfaced on social media last week, sparking a firestorm of outrage.
The ominous-looking box “was built for special needs students” in an elementary-school classroom in the Salmon River Central School District, according to former school board member Chrissy Jacobs in a Dec. 15 Facebook post that has since sparked a probe of possible child abuse and gotten three educators in hot water.
“This is sick,” Jacobs wrote above photographs of the box, which features at least one tiny window that is even blacked out from the inside.
“It reminds me of when our people were locked in boxes at residential school,” Jacobs said, a nod to the fact that a majority of the students in the district, which is just south of the Canadian border, are Native American.
“Our DNA remembers what was done to us. So, what trauma was inflicted on our most vulnerable children?” she seethed.
“Praying our children get justice because as of right now they’re being pushed through a school system that receives millions in Indian education aid money but doesn’t work for them. The inequity is exhausting. This is supposed to be school for our beloved babies not a prison with a kid size. “
Outcry over the box reached all the way to Albany.
“As a mom, I know firsthand the trust parents place in our schools, and the teachers and administrators who work with our children,” Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a statement Saturday. “School should be a place where every child is safe, respected and supported.
“These allegations are alarming and entirely unacceptable and the state’s independent education department must take swift action to investigate and rectify this situation.”
i’m gonna add these two grafs to your story, ok?
District Superintendent Stanley Harper copped to not only the box being in the classroom but admitted two more were in local schools — although he claimed in a statement that the photographed contraption had not been used for students, the New York Times said.
At a later public meeting, a furious dad disputed that, saying his special-needs son told him he “felt bad for one of his friends that had to go in there,’’ the outlet said.
The St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Police Department has launched an investigation into the situation, while the local tribal council urged patience in a press release last week.
“Tribal Council is reminding the community that it is important that the investigative process is allowed to run its course without undue influence or interference,” the release said. “Therefore, to ensure a proper investigation, tribal council is limited in what can be shared with the community at this time.”
The school district said three employees had been placed on administrative leave over the box flap: Director of Special Education Allen Gravell, St. Regis Mohawk School Principal Alison Benedict and school teacher Karrie Haverstock, according to a release.
In addition, Superintendent of Schools Stanley Harper was told to stay home, the release said.
“The Board of Education extends its sincere apology to our students, families, and community members who have been deeply affected by the ongoing situation,” school board President Jason Brockway said. “We recognize the pain, concern, and distress these events have caused, and we are truly sorry for the harm and trauma this has resulted for our community.
“We want to be clear: the circumstances surrounding these allegations do not reflect the values and standards of care that guide this district.”
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