$50,000 claim filed over girl's time-out in school

$50,000 claim filed over girl's time-out in school
By Tom Kertscher of the Journal Sentinel

Posted: Feb. 21, 2009

A $50,000 legal claim alleges that Greenfield Middle School teachers falsely imprisoned a student when they put her in a time-out room, and that the experience caused the girl to hyperventilate and feel nauseous.

The claim also accuses a teacher of allowing students to commit a "battery" against the girl in a classroom.

Greenfield Superintendent Conrad Farner said he could not respond specifically to the allegations, in order to protect the privacy of the student, who is not identified by name in the claim.

But Farner defended the actions of employees.

"I'm confident that the district has acted in an appropriate manner and will continue to do so," he said.

Farner said three claims have been filed against the school district in the past 3 1/2 years, none involving allegations of misconduct by staff. Two claims pertained to playground injuries and one to the instruction of a special education student, he said.

The claim involving the girl was filed Feb. 13. The School Board discussed it during a closed session portion of its meeting Monday, but took no action.

The claim was filed on behalf of the girl by Brookfield attorney William Rettko

"The ball, frankly, is in the school district's court," Rettko said of negotiations to settle the claim.

If the claim is not settled or rejected within 120 days, a lawsuit could be filed.
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