Schools should teach students systematically in such a way that no harm is caused. However, the activity of principal of North Port High School based in Florida has turned out to be a nightmare for both students and parents.
The school board recently met and decided to pay $200,000 to the families of three students who died after they were allegedly hypnotized by George Kenney, the then principal of the school.
The incident took place in 2011 when three students named Brittany Palumbo, Wesley McKinley and Marcus Freeman committed suicide after hypnosis procedure.
While Brittany and Wesley committed suicide by hanging, Marcus died as a result of a car crash caused as a result of self-hypnosis lessons taught by Kenney.
The criminal lawsuit was filed by the families of three students for compensation. Kenney was asked to go for administrative leave soon after the incident after he admitted the crime. However, he resigned in June 2012 stating that he taught therapeutic hypnosis without a valid license. Media people were unable to trace the whereabouts of Kenney when they tried to reach him after the judgement.
"The School Board has concluded that a mutually acceptable settlement is in the best interests of all parties involved," said Scott Ferguson, Spokesman, Sarasota County Schools.
The school board conducted an investigation in 2011 and the 135 page report revealed that Kenney was member of national hypnotists group. It is reported that Kenney used his hypnotic techniques on more than 35 students to help them overcome anxiety and performance improvement.
However, the actual fact was that he had hypnotized not only 70 students but also faculty and staff over the period of five years without any approved license from the state of Florida.
He was given several warnings to stop his activities but he never obliged them.
"He served just one year of probation and is now believed to be living in North Carolina, where he runs a bed and breakfast and creates stained glass," reports starcasm.net.
"I am not saying I used great judgment all the time here. I think I used poor judgment several times," said Kenney during investigations.
The parents of three students who killed themselves find fault with the school board for their inaction even though they had prior knowledge about activities of the former principal.
"There's nothing that can bring Marcus back, but the Freemans hope this will give them some closure. Moreover, Kenney was a rogue principal," said Dana Freeman, Mother of Marcus.
"We are satisfied with the overall outcome, although this is a very hollow victory," said Michael and Patricia Ann Palumbo, Brittany's parents.
We are of the opinion that the compensation amount should be recovered from Kenney and not from the school funds. The principal should be made accountable for all the activities and need to be dismissed and arrested immediately.
