No more action in bus incident

BY STEVE WILSON
THE DAILY IBERIAN
Published/Last Modified on Monday, August 25, 2008 2:12 PM CDT

The Iberia Parish School Board will not take further action following an Aug. 15 school bus fight that led to five boys’ removal from the bus and their arrest on the side of the road.

Iberia Parish Schools Superintendent Dale Henderson said no further action is planned following the fight on a moving school bus on Louisiana 182 in between New Iberia and Jeanerette. All five boys, between 12 and 15 years old and students at the Alternative Center for Education, were arrested by deputies with the Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Henderson said the students involved have been disciplined appropriately.

“We will not tolerate fighting on school buses, which are school property,” Henderson said.

The School Board is not looking further into allegations by sheriff’s deputies who said ACE Drill Sergeant Fernest Martin physically struck the students.

Henderson said there is no investigation by the School Board into Martin’s conduct during the incident, adding the Board is “very supportive” of Martin.

“These are kids with serious behavioral problems,” Henderson said. “He (Martin) is a strict disciplinarian and that is something these students are lacking in their lives. This is an alternative school — the kids are there for a reason.”

District 1 School Board Member Clara Carrier believes any allegations of wrongdoing against Martin are unfounded.

“This young man has done a great job at the alternative school,” Carrier said. “He has a way of controlling the kids and they all respect him. I do not believe that he slapped them or believe any of the other allegations that were made.”

Martin declined to comment on the incident when reached by telephone Friday. Attempts to contact Iberia Parish Sheriff Louis Ackal for comment on the incident were unsuccessful.

Billie Gros’ stepdaughter Hailey is a student at the Alternative Center for Education. She said her stepdaughter tells her that Martin uses foul language when addressing the students and questions his disciplinary tactics.

“He (Martin) has Hailey pushing tractor tires in the heat when she has a medical reason to be excluded from that,” Gros said. “This isn’t right for these children. Discipline is OK, but it has to be a healthy discipline.”

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Comments

Mother of wrote on Sep 7, 2008 9:10 AM:

" I was shocked to read the posts about the woman's step-daughter. I for one will not take "the wrap" for anything that one of my children does. I do my best to guide them, but that doesn't always work. They are however fully responsible for their own actions. Whatever the consequence might be!!!! What do you expect at an alternative school? A welcome wagon or song and dance upon arrival. Come on!! What do you think goes on in jail? The whole point is to make these kids/people not want to return!!! LET YOUR KIDS TAKE THE WRAP!!!!!! "

MR CLEAN wrote on Sep 5, 2008 10:10 AM:

" I'm pleased to learn that the powers-that-be in the educational system are very supportive of child abuse. Extremely troubling, to say the least.

Is Drill Sargeant Martin going to whip Mr. Sias as well? "

Mrs Gros wrote on Aug 29, 2008 7:58 AM:

" Lynn how about you come discipline MY STEP DAUGHTER for me since you seem to think thats what she needs. It seems to be okay for other people to hit on other peoples kids these days. She lived with her Mother when she was put in Lee st so I won't take the wrap for anything she did during that period but I can assure you she is right on track now with some HEALTHY discipline and a lot of love. "

To the uninformed wrote on Aug 28, 2008 5:44 PM:

" I hope someone can answer my question. Why would those law enforcement officers "lie" on Mr. Martin. From where I am sitting that does not make any sense nor do I believe they were lying. "

J-town wrote on Aug 27, 2008 9:14 AM:

" It's still amazes me that no one is discussing the Baudry "issue" that was swept under the rug. When allegations were made about him, the comments were relative to the destruction of his reputation, not the damage he could have caused Iberia parish youth. Someone really needs to analyze the political thrusts behind The Daily Iberian and it's "good 'ol boy" support system. "

think about it wrote on Aug 26, 2008 9:18 PM:

" If these kids were adults where do you think they would be behaving in such a way? jail!!!! So what if this kid has to push tractor tires in the heat. Kind of late for the mom to be worrying about it now. what about the behavior that got her there in the first place? This kid use to live in my neighborhood and as for foul language being used clean it up at home first. thats why these kids think its okay to act this way. I say make em push tires all day long. "

Concerned Citizen wrote on Aug 26, 2008 2:11 PM:

" The only problem I have is with how the school board handled this situation. The students that was beat on by the 3 other students received a one month suspension. Now is that supposed to help his problems or just add on to them. "

Foolishness wrote on Aug 26, 2008 2:08 PM:

" Believe me-Mr. Gros' daughter is right. He does use foul language and disrespects students and staff. Something serious will have to happen for them to reprimand him. I guess lawsuits by staff and parents will get the parish straight. Regardless of his position-he is abusing his discipline privileges. He is taking his title to his head. Did anyone even wonder why Lee St. had such a turnover in staff this past year? That school is a zoo and Martin and others participate in the unprofessional behavior. SICK! "

IPSB employee wrote on Aug 26, 2008 1:52 PM:

" Apparently "the little girls" medically excused health condition did not stop her from doing something that landed her in an alternative school. When parents stop making excuses for kids such as this, the juvenile crime rate would not be what it is. We have to remember that Mr. Martin is trying to correct what some parents simply can't or choose not to do, rear their children respect for authority! I'm not saying these kids deserve abuse, but something landed them where they are. She'll be pushing alot more than tires in jail or prison! "

Lynn wrote on Aug 26, 2008 1:05 PM:

" Maybe if Ms. Gros had used some discipline on her step daughter she wouldn't be in the alternative school and whining about how "tough" it is. Like the school board said, these kids are in there for a reason. If the parent's feel like it's "too tough", take them out and be responsible for the kids themselves. When they end up in jail, they can hock their homes (if they own one) to bail them out. "

Tugman wrote on Aug 26, 2008 3:00 AM:

" I think the Instructor is right, If it takes a wack on the head or a kick in the but to make them behave then so be it. My parents dit NOT spare the rod and whaced me every time I deserved it, I would never have thought of disrespecting my parents or elders because I KNEW what whold happen if I did. Now I earn over $200,000.00 per year at a job I love. So who is right and who is wrong ? "

Ronald S. Davis wrote on Aug 25, 2008 10:48 PM:

" I really feel this school is corrupted from the staff down to the children. You really can't justify phisical abuse.This school is supose to be a rehabilitatione center.The adults are to be smarter than the children.And from the way I see it.The kids got the best of this adult. This Sergeant Fernest Martin lost his cool.I firmly believe there is a better way than this this. I strongly believe the school staff doesn't have the know how to make it happen. "

Laugh out loud wrote on Aug 25, 2008 8:34 PM:

" How guillble are you members of the schoolboard? Five officers whose jobs depend on their credibilty are lying to "frame" Pacman on misdeamnor battery charges. Its like the little misbehaving boy who says to his mommy, " They are all lying and I am the only one telling the truth!" Think about this are reasoning adults! Why would five men and women in blue sacrifice their CAREERS to lie about an incident that was caught on camera! Shame on you school board members. Shame on you! "

Once In Your Position wrote on Aug 25, 2008 8:08 PM:

" I have been where most of these parents are at this time. Discipline starts at home. It appears that these parents dont have controll at home, so I am glad that there is SOMEONE that can take controll and try to show these kids some type of discipline. When my son was attending this location, yeah I was unsure of what to expect, but after a few weeks I noticed a change in his behavior. Now about a medical condition, it just all depends on what that condition is. "

Thank you wrote on Aug 25, 2008 4:59 PM:

" I am so glad that God is a good God. So glad Mr. Martin is being vindicated. People are still going to try and further discredit Mr. Martin, but i hope he continues on doing the wonderful job he is doing with these behaviorally challenged youths. These parents need to stop whining about their "sweet" little kids having to do manual labor! Better that, than having to Identify their kids'body after they commit some crime!! Good job, Mr. Martin AND IPSB!!! "

Ex-student wrote on Aug 25, 2008 3:26 PM:

" Way to go Mr. H!! "

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No more action in bus incident

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