LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — Unique Barnett said her third-grade son, Kelique, started at Joseph E. Thiriot Elementary this year. He is a student with an IEP (Individualized Education Plan) and she said the Clark County School District placed him at that school to join a special needs classroom.
She said for the past month of the school year, her son never mentioned any issues at school.
On Sept. 13, she was told her son’s teacher, Shane Buntuyan, had been removed from the school’s property and the classroom would be getting a substitute teacher. The following Monday, Child Protective Services asked to talk to her about the situation. She said at that point, she asked her son what happened.
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“‘What’s going on?... Is your teacher Mr. B being inappropriate?’ And my son said, ‘What does inappropriate mean, mom?’ and I said, ‘Well, is he touching you inappropriately or touching you in places he’s not supposed to?’ and he opened right up, 'Yeah, he whoops us with this stick,'" said Barnett.
Barnett said she met with CPS Tuesday morning and they told her they are looking into the situation and speaking to a handful of other families who have children in the classroom.
Clark County School District released a statement saying:
“School administration is aware of a matter involving a teacher at Thiriot Elementary. Appropriate action was taken to investigate the matter which included contacting appropriate CCSD departments and outside agencies. Because this is an active investigation CCSD can’t comment any further.”
