Parents Say Teacher Protected Kids From Threat

Follow CBSDFW.COM: Facebook | Twitter

NEVADA (CBSDFW.COM) - Parents in the Collin County city of Nevada are outraged after a teacher was suspended for trying to protect her fourth-grade students from a threat on Tuesday. Now, as many as half of those kids are staying at home until the teacher comes back and a problem student is removed.

The incident happened at McClendon Elementary School.

Judy Stout is getting praise from parents for locking her classroom door and calling for help on Tuesday while students huddled in the corner of the room.

The students said that a classmate, who reportedly has regular behavior problems, was trying to enter the room, yelling expletives and threatening to kill the teacher.

"I was worried, but I wasn't crying," said student Cheyenne Wilson. "Most of the kids were crying."

School officials disagreed with Stout's actions and placed her on administrative leave. But parents said that she handled it like she should have, protecting her students from potential harm.

Many parents are even keeping their kids at home until the elementary school classroom feels safe. "I would just rather pay truancy and make sure she's safe than send her to school and let her get hurt," said parent Connie Wilson.

Some students wanted to call their parents after the situation was resolved, but they were not allowed. "I don't like that at all," Wilson added. "I think the children should be allowed to call any time anything happens in the school."

The Community Independent School District's acting superintendent said, "We are aware of the threat, but at no time were any students in danger. We take all comments seriously and will investigate them thoroughly." He has scheduled a closed meeting with parents on Thursday night.