School Monitor's Aggressive Discipline Caught on Camera at St. Croix School
Viral videos show monitor striking student with what appears to be a plastic bat, sparking investigation and public outcry
2023-12-12 15:58:35 - VI News Staff
In a rapidly spreading video, a monitor at the Eulalie Rivera Pre-K to 8 School in St. Croix is seen striking a student, sparking widespread outrage and concern. The footage, capturing what many are calling a severe assault on the student, has quickly gained viral status since its release on Monday.
In one video, the female monitor is seen wielding what appears to be a plastic softball bat, which she uses to strike the student at least twice, while asking the male student to repeat what he had earlier stated. "Talk it now!" the monitor yells. Another clip shows the same monitor loudly admonishing the student, warning against provocation. "All you really believe people does be playing with all you. All that mouth you just had out there, give me it now, nuh. Because you believe people fraid you. Ain't nobody f%#!ing fraid you!"
She proceeds to tell the boy that she only wants him to "mumble" something. "Talk! Say something, nuh!" the female monitor yelled. During this time, another monitor, a male, stood by as an observer to the unfolding incident.
The V.I. Dept. of Education has said it is investigating the incident, but the department did not divulge information that it has gathered thus far, including what enraged the monitor to act in such a manner. In one of the two videos reviewed by the Consortium, the monitor is heard saying, "come outside and threaten me again," suggesting that the student may have made a threat against her.