A graduate of Hartford Public High School in Hartford, Connecticut, has filed a lawsuit claiming that she graduated without knowing how to read or write. The suit targets the city, the school board, and a special education case manager, claiming that district employees bullied and harassed the former student. It seeks unspecified monetary damages, accusing the defendants of negligence and the negligent infliction of emotional distress.

Schools are supposed to be safe spaces for students, and public schools have a duty to help students learn certain skills, including literacy, regardless of any educational disabilities. If you or your child experience emotional distress at the hands of teachers or administrators, or if they fail to impart the necessary skills they're required to teach, you may have a viable lawsuit on your hands. Call the Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team today at 888-535-3686 or contact us online to learn about your options.

A Systematic Failure

The lawsuit claims that the plaintiff, Aleysha Ortiz, struggled academically throughout middle school and high school because the school district failed to properly address and support her learning disability. She repeatedly petitioned the district to test her for dyslexia, which they refused until eventually administering a reading test on the last day of the school year. This test revealed that Ortiz lacked mastery in multiple foundational reading skills.

What's worse, the lawsuit also alleges that Ortiz's high school special education case manager, Tilda Santiago, bullied and harassed Ortiz. The allegations include verbally berating Ortiz, belittling her learning disability, and even stalking her during school hours. Despite Ortiz reporting this abuse to school administrators, Santiago remained her case manager until just four weeks before the end of the school year.

Defend Your Child's Rights

If any of these allegations are true, they would be a clear and tragic violation of the trust the public places in our education system and its employees. The officials involved, including Santiago, have not responded publicly to these accusations.

Ortiz suffered severe mental and emotional stress, which ultimately led to suicidal ideation, even going so far as to cause her to open the door of a moving vehicle. This is the antithesis of what a special education program is supposed to do, and indeed what any school is supposed to provide for its students.

If you or your child have experienced similar mistreatment, it could be time to file a suit of your own. The Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team is ready to help you protect your rights as a student or a parent and to ensure that no child's future is put in jeopardy by a negligent or abusive teacher, administrator, or school board. Call us at 888-535-3686 or contact us online to find out how we can help you ensure the best possible outcome for yourself or your child.