Editor, Gazette-Journal:

We have had some severe incidents within our Gloucester school district which starts with our elementary and middle schools. The path leads right to our absentee superintendent, Mr. Ben Kiser. Neither Mr. Kiser nor anyone within his office will return your phone call or acknowledge your complaint.

We have had a special-needs child in lockdown for the entire day at school. That student was not allowed to leave her room, not even for lunch. The principal had a teacher bring the student her lunch. All of this due to this student wearing face paint. At no point in time was the parent contacted by this principal. For that matter, neither was the emergency contact person. The face painting is not even listed in the student code of conduct.

Also, we have had a child defecate in his pants due to the negligence of a substitute teacher that would not allow him to use the restroom. That situation, as horrific as it is, has still not been addressed and is trying to be swept under the rug. This is completely inexcusable.

Now, another situation has taken place at another school. Some student got ahold of packaged ketchup and made a mess in the bathroom. The entire school was threatened that if the student or students responsible did not come forward, the rest of the school would not be allowed to use ketchup for this week. The student has come forward and they are still not allowing ketchup to be used this entire week. This situation completely outrages me.

Parents of a student went to have a talk with their son’s teacher. When they met up with their son for lunch, their son told them that the teacher discussed their meeting with him. He then stated that the teacher said "the conversation was weird with your parents." When the teacher was confronted, she stated "I didn’t mean it like that."

What happened to confidentiality, and why was this discussed with a student? As far as I am concerned, most of these incidents fall under corporal punishment. How is it that not one person is being held accountable for any of this, but yet it continues?

There needs to be accountability for what is happening to our children. We need your help!

Kimmarie DaSilva

Gloucester, Va.