I’m a little confused by the the details we know so far about the teacher’s aide who allegedly hit a student at Greeley Alternative School last week. The sparse Peoria Journal Star article doesn’t even mention the teacher’s name, but it does say that the incident happened Thursday, but that “officials” learned of it Monday. What officials? The principal? The superintendent? The police? The state’s attorney’s office? Too much shorthand substituting for facts.
The WEEK article has the guy’s name — Benjamin Thornton — as well as reader comments, which are missing from the Journal Star article. Most of the commenters are talking him up as a hero. Myself, I’m going to reserve judgment until I know some more facts. Greeley is where the district warehouses some of serious troublemakers.
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Billy Dennis is a former reporter and editor at small daily and weekly newspapers in Illinois and Missouri. He comments on media, news and politics. He also owns and operates 
The problem I have with this is that teachers are suppose to be mandatory reporters of child abuse this should have been done ASAP not after word must have leaked out about it. This is how dist 150 operates though you know hide it under the rug. Then they will find some scape goat thats why it took till today for it to come to light.
PJ just broke the story wide open there is a video of the incident but they won't release it because the investigation is on going. Really wanna see who all is standing around watching this happen. I for one think any staff that just stood there and watched should be fired on the spot and then have criminal charges pressed against them.