/Greenville superintendent to defend handling of abuse seen on video

Greenville superintendent to defend handling of abuse seen on video

Greenville Superintendent Leeson TAYLOR will be able to appear before the school board. He will explain how he dealt with reports that a teacher had abused a student with special needs at the high school. Last week, the school board approved Taylor’s request to appear before it Nov. 29. Taylor is currently on an administrative leave with pay. They will then decide whether to keep Taylor on the board or fire him. In executive session, Taylor will give his reply to the board. Loretta Shannon, President of the School Board, stated that the board still has questions after the review by the attorney. There are many questions. Shannon asked, noting that Shannon did not report the matter in time. The Mississippi Department of Education requires administrators to report child abuse incidents within 10 days. State law requires that any school employee who has information about child abuse must report it immediately to the Department of Human Services. Then, they must follow up with a written statement. Everett Chinn, a district spokesperson, referred all questions and calls to Shannon. Taylor was promptly returned Monday. A Greenville parent uploaded a video on Oct. 6 showing Linda Winters Johnson pulling a special needs student with her hair across the gymnasium floor. Another student from the building shot the video. The video became viral and was viewed by millions of people in just a few days. Linda Winters Johnson, the teacher in the video was fired after the viral video. According to the Associated Press, Dewayne Richardson, Washington County District Attorney has stated that he will pursue charges against Winters Johnson. On Dec. 7, she will appear before the Mississippi Department of Education, where her license will be revoked.