ST. CLOUD, Fla. — The St. Cloud Police Department said it arrested a St. Cloud High School teacher Wednesday after video shows he slammed a female student into a wall and then to the ground.
Police said Jason Parks was trying to break up an incident between students.
Police said the resource officer took the student to an office and asked what happened. The student told the officer that Parks slammed her to the ground.
The student told the officer at the beginning of class another student pulled her chair out from under her when she was sitting down. Then, she said she waited for the bell to ring and went over to hit the other student.
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The officer said the girl did not need medical attention and they did not see any signs of injury.
Video footage from the school camera shows Parks slam the girl to the wall and then into the ground, according to a report.
The officer said they did not see the girl fighting back in the video.
The St. Cloud Police Department investigated the incident and determined that Parks battered the student.
On Wednesday, the school resource officer conducted a follow-up investigation.
Parks was arrested on a charge of child abuse -- simple battery and transported to the Osceola County Jail, where he was booked and held on bail. Parks posted bail almost immediately after being brought to the jail.
No other information was provided regarding the investigation.
Officials said Parks has been reassigned out of the school until the investigation is complete.
They said Parks was employed with the school district since January 2015 and has served as a substitute teacher and teacher.
Parks began working at St. Cloud High School in November 2018 as an environmental science teacher.
The principal of St. Cloud High School released a statement regarding Parks:
"This is Nate <span class="wsc-spelling-problem" data-spelling-word="Fancher" data-wsc-lang="en_US">Fancher</span>, Principal of St. Cloud High School. As I have always maintained open communication with our school community, I feel it is important to inform you of a difficult situation involving our school. The St. Cloud Police Department arrested one of our teachers this morning for simple battery and child abuse, regarding his handling of a student while breaking up a student incident. The teacher will be reassigned out of our school until any and all investigations are finished. Please be assured that the school district and St. Cloud High School take matters of student safety very seriously. Thank you for your continued support and cooperation as we provide the best possible education for your child."
Students at the school reacted to the news of Parks being arrested by participating in a walkout.
Students said almost half of the student body left their desks around 2 p.m. Thursday and gathered in the courtyard.
The students who participated said they disagreed with the arrest and want Parks back in the classroom.
The students who stayed in class said Parks crossed the line and watching the surveillance video confirms that for them.
Channel 9 found out if there is a policy for teachers to follow when situations arise.
According to the Osceola County School Districts Code of Conduct, "Florida Statutes authorizes teachers and other school personnel to use reasonable force ... to protect others from injury."
The Florida Department of Education defines reasonable force as, "Appropriate professional conduct including physical force as necessary to maintain a safe and orderly environment."
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