Student’s father seeks apology
Published 7:47 pm Friday, May 25, 2012
![WP-BATH-ELEMENTARY](http://www.wdnweb.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2012/05/WP-BATH-ELEMENTARY.jpg)
Charles Summerville told the media Friday that he wants an apology from Bath Elementary School Principal Pam Hodges and a school secretary for allegedly denying his daughter the opportunity to go to the bathroom while she waited in the school’s office Thursday. Summerville said his daughter was sent to the principal for disciplinary action. (WDN Photo/Betty Mitchell Gray)
A Beaufort County man wants an apology from the principal and secretary at Bath Elementary School following an incident at the school involving his 15-year-old daughter.
Charles Summerville said he wants an apology from Principal Pam Hodges and a school secretary for allegedly denying his daughter the opportunity to go to the bathroom while she waited in the school’s office Thursday. Summerville said his daughter was sent to the principal for disciplinary action.
The girl, an eighth-grade student, soiled her clothes and was “forced to be humiliated” because she was not allowed to use the bathroom, Summerville said.
“We feel that we deserve an official apology,” he said. “The school and Mrs. Hodges has let us down.”
Summerville called for disciplinary action against the secretary, saying she did not respond to his daughter’s repeated requests to use the bathroom or notify her parents that she was being disciplined.
Summerville held a press conference in front of the school Friday and posted two videos of the account on YouTube.
In a statement issued Friday, Sarah Hodges, public information officer for Beaufort County Schools, said “the matter remains under investigation.
“Information regarding student discipline or personnel matters is confidential according to state and federal guidelines,” Sarah Hodges said.
Pam Hodges declined to comment on the matter, referring to Sarah Hodges at the school district’s central office.