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School janitor intimidates, assaults Bell students

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Contributed by: Mike Medina on 1/3/2008

Jefferson County School District Conceals Disciplinary Findings from Families. Janitor Remains Employed at School.

For nearly a year Golden families have urged Bell Middle School Administrators, The Golden Police Department, The Jefferson County Schools Superintendents Office and The Jefferson County School Board to investigate allegations of intimidation and assault on students at Bell by a school janitor.

From all indications, The Jefferson County Schools Superintendents Office and The Jefferson County School Board did find the allegations to be founded.

In two written memos from Jeffco Public Schools Community Superintendent Irene Griego and The Jefferson County School Board, "interventions were implemented", "These interventions involved personnel matters which we are unable to share with you". The School District's position to not release investigative findings and disciplinary actions taken against the janitor and Bell School Administrators, based on "confidentiality", has caused concerned for many Golden families whose kids were intimated and assaulted by the school janitor.

Bell Middle School parent Mike Medina explains, "For the District to allow Mr. Fields to work amongst our kids is a blatant disregard for our student's welfare and safety. We have been stone walled by School District from the top down but we intend to get to the bottom of this investigation and find out why Mr. Fields is still working at Bell amongst our kids. Golden families would also like to know why Bell school administrators, The Jefferson County Schools Superintendents Office and The Jefferson County School Board have turned their backs on our kids safety and welfare. If there are any other families in our community who have suffered at the hands of Mr. Fields and Bell Administrators, I would like to hear their story".

The year -long investigation centered around allegations of assault and intimidation by Fields including military pressure grips on many Bell students causing pain, hitting one student twice in the face with a ball which left a welt while exclaiming "I hate kids", zip-tying students pants who did not comply with the school's unauthorized policy of no sagging pants, confiscating cell phones from students and in one reported case intimidated a student with her own phone by taking pictures of the student in a degrading manner in front of her peers.

In all cases Bell Principal Griff Wirth, Vice Principal Bridget Jones and the Golden Police Department were asked to investigate the abuses which resulted in sensitivity talks with Fields.

Mike Medina is a parent at Bell Middle School

720.331.3085 mikem@medinacom.com

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CONTRIBUTOR INFORMATION

Mike Medina

Golden , CO

Mike Medina has posted 7 stories and 7 comments since joining on 12/20/2007. Mike Medina 's average story rating is 4.

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