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Special-education
students being mistreated,
parents say

By Crystal Kua
Star-Bulletin

The father of an autistic child told the Board of Education last night that his son's special-education teacher gave the 8-year-old boy dog biscuits to eat during summer school.

"Autistic children's rights are equal to dogs' rights," Byoung Sun Woo said while visibly upset. "Dog biscuits are just meant for dogs, not for autistic children or for any human being."

Woo said the alleged incident was witnessed by a tutor, who appeared with the family at last night's meeting.

Another parent reported that the same teacher washed her daughter's mouth out with liquid soap. Norine Sakihara said the alleged soap incident was witnessed by an educational assistant who was at the meeting.

"I came forward because I want something done, because these kids have a right to an education," educational assistant Doreen Pasatiempo said. "I felt that it was not (the teacher's) right."

Attempts to reach the teacher for comment were unsuccessful. Summer school classes ended July 13.

Sakihara and Woo were among a stream of parents of special-education students who testified before the board, alleging mistreatment by school personnel.

They alleged that these incidents are not reported because employees and parents are afraid of retribution.

"They are afraid to come forward because of retaliation, because of their job security," Pasatiempo said.

State schools Superintendent Paul LeMahieu said Deputy Schools Superintendent Pat Hamamoto will be looking into the allegations.

"If proved true, what was alleged is nothing short of appalling. It's completely unacceptable, and it needs to be responded to in the strongest terms, and we'll do that."

LeMahieu said he does not believe the allegations lodged by the parents are widespread or widely indicative of the conduct of teachers.

"We need to act decisively because first and foremost we need to protect children, but we also need to act decisively because we need to protect the good name of the good teachers of the system," LeMahieu said.

Woo said he did not believe the allegations until the classroom professional reported witnessing the dog biscuit incident.

The tutor, Steve Saoit, said the teacher brought her dog to school and was feeding the pet dog biscuits.

When Woo's son ate all his cookies and was still hungry, she allegedly said, "Let's try this," and gave the boy the dog biscuits, which the boy ate, Saoit said. "She meant it as a joke."

LeMahieu said he is concerned that school employees or parents are afraid to come forward because of alleged retribution or fear of retribution.

"There should be no retribution. There should be no fear of retribution," LeMahieu said.