Parents are expressing strong disapproval over claims that students were confined in a boiler room referred to as “the dungeon” as a means of punishment and intimidation. A lawsuit has been initiated alleging that staff members at Thurston Woods School engaged in this harsh disciplinary practice during the 2022-’23 and 2023-’24 academic years.
According to the complaint filed by parents, at least one male teaching assistant was caught locking three different students in the “dungeon” on multiple occasions. The students reportedly endured being locked in the dark environment with no means of exiting, as a form of reprimand.
The entrance to “the dungeon” leads to a basement boiler room, which the school allegedly utilized for storage, including various chemicals and cleaning supplies, as reported by lawandcrime.com. The room is described as noisy due to the running boiler and potentially hazardous due to the presence of chemicals, cleaning agents, and various machinery.
The complaint states that the students were compelled to remove their shoes upon being locked in ‘the dungeon,’ exposed to strong odors from the stored chemicals. Additionally, the teaching assistant reportedly physically obstructed the exit to ensure the confined students could not leave.
The individual resigned in November 2023 following an investigation for violating school district policies. He admitted to placing students in the room as a scare tactic. The families, represented by attorney Drew DeVinney, claim that the students suffered from sleep disturbances and emotional trauma due to the fear induced by “the dungeon.”
Moreover, the complaint alleges that the school staff failed to intervene and prevent the confinement of children in the boiler room for disciplinary purposes, leading to mental and psychological harm such as fear, distress, and trauma.
The school caters to students from early childhood to early adolescence. Stephen Davis, an MPS spokesperson, emphasized the district’s commitment to fostering safe learning environments for all individuals while refraining from commenting on the ongoing litigation. He mentioned that appropriate disciplinary action, including termination, was taken following a thorough investigation in 2023.
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