Horry County Schools Faces Lawsuit for Alleged Misconduct of Special Education Teacher
In a recent development, parents of a special needs student with Down syndrome have filed a lawsuit against Horry County Schools, South Carolina for reportedly failing to protect their daughter from an ‘aggressive’ teacher.
Accusations Against the Teacher
The lawsuit accuses special education teacher Lorraine Annunziato from St. James High School of derogatory behavior towards her students during the 2021 and 2022 school years. The allegations include instances of Annunziato yelling at students, banging on tables, belittling their intellect, and name-calling.
Alleged Negligence by the School District
The parents are holding Horry County Schools accountable for not ensuring the safety of their daughter, named Janie Doe in court reports, along with her classmates, from Annunziato. They allege that the district neglected its duty by not adequately supervising its employees and not taking appropriate action against Annunziato despite receiving several complaints about her offensive conduct.
The lawsuit further states, “Despite Plaintiffs’ reports, Annunziato is still employed with the district, is still teaching, and … has not received any disciplinary action in response to her conduct. Horry County Schools owed Janie a responsibility and duty to supervise, protect and control other students and their agents/employees.”
Family’s Pursuit for Justice
Despite the allegations, Horry County Schools denies any violations and has refrained from commenting on the ongoing lawsuit.
Janie Doe’s family provides a traumatic account of her experience at St. James High School under Annunziato’s supervision since 2021. The family noticed significant changes in her behavior such as increased agitation and decreased communication surrounding school hours. They initially suspected that the transition to a new school was proving difficult for Janie.
Details Revealed in the Lawsuit
The lawsuit further claims severe distress led to self-inflicted bruises on Janie and others as a means to avoid attending school, even leading to a self-inflicted black eye in March of 2023. Audio recordings from a device placed in Janie’s pocket revealed numerous instances of Annunziato allegedly yelling at and commanding students sharply, providing evidence supporting the severity of the alleged misconduct.
Despite the allegations, Annunziato, who has been a special education teacher since 2014, is still listed on the school’s “Special Education Staff” directory.
The parents have instigated a jury trial and are demanding undisclosed monetary damages and attorney fees, placing their hopes in the legal system for justice against this alleged misconduct.
While the school district denies any breach of duty, the combination of audio evidence and the family’s firsthand accounts suggest a concerning pattern of negligence and unprofessional conduct. Cases like these only serve to highlight the necessity of vigilant monitoring and training of staff members involved in educating special students, ensuring a safe, respectful, and conducive learning environment.
