A Crete-Monee High School student’s mother filed a federal civil rights suit Monday, alleging that an auto shop teacher disciplined students by forcing them to withstand electric shocks.
The teacher, Philip Rush, had 16-year-old student Justin Burnett “place one hand on a spark plug and one hand on a piece of metal connected to an electric current-producing crank,” the suit states.
“Rush caused an electrical current to be generated and to course through Justin’s body. This `discipline’ was repeated three times in succession by Rush. The lengths of each successive incident increased, with the final incident lasting more than 30 seconds,” the suit continues. “Each incident caused Justin sharp and intense pain throughout his body.”
Rush admits shocking Justin and other students who were disruptive in class, said Steve Humphrey, superintendent of Schools for Crete-Monee School District 201.
“When we asked him (Rush) why he did this to a student, he told us he felt it was a teaching tool and he said he wanted the kids to see exactly how it worked,” Humphrey said. “I immediately suspended him and ultimately recommended his termination.”
Rush, Burnett and Burnett’s attorney, Stuart M. Nagel, declined to comment. Nagel cited ongoing settlement negotiations.
Burnett was subjected to the shock treatment Sept. 3, according to the suit. His mother, Nicoletta, immediately brought it to the school district’s attention.
“We were outraged at the teacher for his actions,” Humphrey said. “We don’t think this man should be teaching children.”
The district suspended Rush without pay Oct. 12 and began proceedings with the Illinois State Board of Education to fire him. Because Rush is tenured, his termination needs to be approved by the state board, said Ray Hauser, the district’s attorney.
“We don’t have the authority to fire him,” he said.
Humphrey reported Rush’s conduct to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services and to the Will County state’s attorney’s office.
A spokeswoman for the state’s attorney said no criminal charges had been filed against Rush.
The Burnetts say Rush had been known to use this method of discipline on students for at least 10 years. They say school district officials knew about it and should have taken action earlier.
“I take issue with the fact that we knew about it beforehand,” Hauser said. “Once we had knowledge, we acted quickly.”
“We took quick action to remove this teacher and to protect our students,” Humphrey said.
The lawsuit seeks an unspecified amount of money as damages from the school district and Rush.
Rush’s attorney could not be reached for comment.
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