Melissa Barton, center, sits between attorneys Leo Plasencia, left, and Paul Sopp during a press conference.
Advocate Melissa Barton has teamed up with a St Lucie County mother, who is accusing a St Lucie County teacher of abuse. The case of Jonathan Jean is familiar to Ms. Barton, who’s child Alex Barton, was “voted out” of a St Lucie County kindergarten class in 2008. The Bartons since settled their own federal lawsuit with the district netting around $422,000.00, with an unknown amount of legal fees for the district. That case, and the international scope of interest it still receives, encouraged Barton to become engaged in more advocacy efforts. In this case, St Lucie County teacher, Cliff Kemp is accused of “extreme bullying” and abuse of a mentally disabled 11 year old child. The state lawsuit for more than $15,000.00 reads (in part): Although St Lucie County teacher Mr. Kemp knew of Jonathan Jean, an 11 year old child with ADHD and potential other disorders, Mr. Kemp repeatedly called Jonathan Jean a “loser”. Mr. Kemp stated that he wished Jonathan Jean never entered the school. Mr. Kemp told Jonathan Jean in front of the class that he wished that Jonathan Jean had never been born. Mr. Kemp told Jonathan Jean that he smelled like poop. Kemp called Jonathan Jean stupid in front of his classmates. Mr. Kemp called Jonathan Jean “Dumpster Boy” in front of his classmates. Mr. Kemp called Jonathan Jean a cry baby in front of his classmates and made crybaby gestures in front of the class. Mr. Kemp stated that Jonathan ate “sock jams” for breakfast in front of the class. Mr. Kemp made fun of Jonathan in front of his classmates daily despite knowing that Jonathan had a mental disorder, ADHD; As a result of his lack of training by the St. Lucie School District, on October 6, 2011, Mr. Kemp lost his temper and pushed a desk into Jonathan Jean and dared him to move injuring him physically and mentally. Jonathan Jean, an eleven year old child, was scared for his life. Jonathan Jean had nightmares and has suffered a tremendous decline in his condition since the time that Mr. Kemp was allowed to act in such a manner. Due to Mr. Kemp’s actions, Jonathan Jean’s mental condition has suffered, his grades have suffered and he is unable to obtain the free public education he is entitled to receive because of his medical condition. Jean has incurred medical expenses and will continue to incur and he will continue to suffer the loss of enjoyment of school. The filing attorney is Dena Foman Esq: (561) 659-4020. For further information, please contact us.
More info: JJ Case PSL Florida CBS12 News
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If its something Melissa Barton is putting her name to, then I trust it. She has earned her credibility as a major force in the community and I support her and this mom! Shame on that so called teacher for abusing any children!
Really, Tracey has the same mentality many do. More money for more training for more bad teachers. What a waste. Why are so many parents pulling their kids out of public schools, even deciding to home school now days? Because ALL of them in all different states are just crazy parents? Think about it. Now, what are we going to do about it?
I am an unapologetic liberal. I love my teachers, love public education, and I believe school workers do work harder than many people realize, in general. I don’t think this teacher had any business in the classroom and he makes other teachers and public education look bad. Each time there is another bully problem like this, it should make us all ashamed and outraged. Not at the parent who stands up for his/her child, but at our runaway systems. An educator should meet high standards and understand that all students will be different and have different ways of learning. I don’t care if the child sat there and quacked like a duck in the middle of class (which he didn’t, I am just using an example), the teacher should be professional enough not to respond with abuse and ignorance. Shame on him. And this is the same school district that gave us Wendy Portillo and has her still teaching children after she traumatized others? I am against tenure thanks to abusers like this. It is one step to making our education system something to be proud of again. There are other ideas too, but cutting tenure is one of the top solutions. Sorry.
Why is suing always the answer? I’m not saying the teacher wasn’t a big bully but isn’t there another way to take care of this? Why does the media always eat this up? Isn’t there something better to report on, like the economy and jobs? I am an advocate for my kids but this is getting out of hand.
It is out of hand! May-be the SD would decide to actually hire good normal teachers like everyone else instead of continuing a pattern of destruction?
Now the 24 other students just learned it’s okay to bully peers.
it is up to these parents to discipline and teach their kids. what was the kid doing that instigated this already stretched teacher?
If the teacher is “stretched” he should find a new job. How you wold you like your doctor feeling stretched before your surgery?
Tracy, do you have kids? If so I feel sorry for them.
i will probably get attacked but the teacher probably was under tons of stress and wasn’t prepared for students with special needs to be in his classroom. these people are overworked, underpaid and blamed for everything. now, surprise, surprise, a problem parent is suing. schools need more training and more classrooms for appropriately educating the kids with special needs. not to excuse the verbal abuse from the teacher allegations but come on.
i just want to add that i know for a fact that melissa barton is a crazy liberal aclu type so this lawsuit is probably going to be successful whether right or wrong. just my opinion.
Sounds like Tracy S needs to check her facts…do teachers really need to be trained NOT to be a bully? Give me a break! The St. Lucie County School District wrote this teach up for “bully behavior” (their words not mine)…would Tracy S have a different opinion if it was her child? Does Tracy S really think that this behavior should be tolerated? The problem isn’t more training…it’s the Teachers Union (and Tracy S) that protects bad teachers.
Tracy so, when your boss is under stress can she do the same to you? Just asking..
ru kidding? no one will get fired over this. the teacher will just be given some time off, and a transfer. he probably got tenure and everything else. disgusting.
why do people keep saying that more training will help. how much training does it take to treat another human being, a student, with at least basic dignity? all the training in the world won’t make certain people decent teachers. some people just need to be working by themselves somewhere digging ditches.
Isn’t it obvious at this point that Saint Lucie County Schools has no clue? FIRE THEM ALL start at the top!
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