Misbehaving students said to get toilet duty

By Kate Pastor

Chalkboards — maybe. But toilets?

The Department of Education is investigating alleged corporal punishment at IN-Tech Academy, MS/ HS 368, after students complainted that they were forced to clean toilets as disciplinary action.

Eighth grader Adonis Rodriguez claims he landed the duty of cleaning boys and girls bathrooms for being disruptive in class.

“The bathrooms kind of stink and the toilets are kind of dirty on the top,” he said, noting that he came across some used feminine hygiene products while working off minor classroom infractions.

Rising above the roar of students who mobbed members of the press during dismissal Monday, Adonis railed against an administrator who he said handed out the unseemly sentence: “She makes kids clean up toilets,” he said.

He said he was forced to take on the unpaid janitorial work months ago in place of traditional school discipline, and that he was among a handful of students who got the same punishment.

“Sometimes, I would get detention. Sometimes, she would make me clean the toilets,” he said.

When Adonis told his mother what was happening at school, she was furious and began communicating with the administrator responsible, he said. His mother could not be reached for comment, but Adonis said he would not be returning to MS/HS 368 next school year.

Principal Rose Fairweather- Clunie, who said she was advised not to comment, said only, “It’s under investigation.”

Tenth grader Deborah Freire heard about the repor ts, and was in shock that a school rated “A” by the Department of Education could be hiding such dirty secrets.

“I never heard of it. This is insane,” she said. “You can clean chalkboards and stuff like that, but don’t clean toilets.”

While no other students inter viewed by The Press repor ted being forced to clean, not everyone was surprised at the news.

Whatever the case, forcing students to clean toilets is a no no.

“We are investigating allegations of corporal punishment. If the allegations are substantiated, we will take appropriate action,” said Depar tment of Education spokeswoman Marge Feinberg.