Alex Barton testified yesterday in an internal school investigation

according to this CBS 12 news report. It’s noted that Alex’s mother, Melissa Barton, “is not primarily seeking monetary damages. She wants autism awareness and training for district employees.” Alex plans to return to another elementary school this fall as a first grader.


(h/t to Kristina Chew over at Autism Vox)

Alex Barton's mother plans to file a lawsuit against the Port St. Lucie School District

Melissa Barton, the mother of Alex Barton, the boy who was “voted out” of his kindergarten classroom after his teacher polled students to see if they wanted him to stay, is planning to file a lawsuit against the Port St. Lucie school district on the grounds that “‘physical and mental abuse’” were inflicted on her son. According to Melissa Barton, Alex has been diagnosed with autism and school officials were aware of his condition.

The following excerpt is from the Palm Beach Post (Thanks to Christine Chew over at Autism Vox for the link)

Port St. Lucie - An attorney representing the child voted out of kindergarten class at Morningside Elementary has notified the St. Lucie County School District the boy's mother intends to sue the district for "physical and mental abuse" reportedly inlicted on her son.

Stuart attorney Jeff Vastola filed a notice with school officials and that state's Department of Insurance Tuesday, alleging the School Board was negligent in training and supervising employees who had contact with children at Morningside.

Teacher Wendy Portillo admitted she polled students to see whether they wanted 5-year-old Alex Barton to remain in the classroom after he had twice disrupted the class April 21. The students explained what they disliked about Alex and voted 14-2 for him to leave, sending Alex to the nurse's office for the rest of the school day.