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Friday, March 29, 2024

Jefferson Parish teacher school fired for corporal punishment sues

Impastato

GRETNA – A Jefferson Parish man is suing the school system where he was formerly employed for alleged wrongful termination.

Steve Barton filed suit on April 8 against Jefferson Parish School Board, Cheryl Farmer, Kiplyn Diaz-Pereira and Kisha Butler in the 23rd Judicial District Court.

Barton claims he had been a physical education teacher for 30 years and was teaching at Boudreaux Elementary School as well as working as a football coach at Grace King High School.

He alleges that during a class the son of Kisha Butler threw a cone at his head and felt he was rightful in grabbing the boy by his shirt to keep him from threatening the physical safety of the other students.

Barton claims he sat the boy in a chair for the remainder of the class and had no further problems with him.

Kisha Butler along with another parent filed a complaint against Barton for impermissible corporal punishment due to the incident.

Barton claims Kiplyn Diaz-Pereira, who was handling the complaint for the school system, solicited comments from other students on the incident including at least one that had not been present. Barton asserts he was suspended without pay before later being terminated by the school system.

The Jefferson Parish School Board is accused of violation of due process and equal protection, breach of contract, wrongful termination and negligence.

An unspecified amount in damages is to sought to include Barton's reinstatement as a teacher, the reinstatement of wages and other payments he would receive as an employee and for mental anguish.

Barton is being represented by Dominick F. Impastato, III of New Orleans-based Frischhertz, Polliard, Frischhertz and Impastato.

The case has been assigned to Division C Judge June Berry Darensburg.

Case number 713457

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