Natrona County High School No Longer Employs Man Who Allegedly Hit Autistic Student
An educator who hit an autistic student at Natrona County High School last month is no longer an employee, according to school district records and a spokeswoman.
The personnel report submitted to the Natrona County School District board of trustees for its bimonthly meeting on Monday listed Mark Brattis under the "separations" category.
District spokeswoman Tanya Southerland confirmed that in an email Monday, too.
"Mr. Brattis is no longer an employee of the Natrona County School District," Southerland wrote. "As this is a personnel matter, I am unable to provide further details."
After the altercation on Oct. 30, the district reported he was suspended.
Marisol Villescaz, a relative of the 14-year-old autistic boy, said then he had a rough day and was acting out his frustrations.
The boy ran from gym class toward a construction site, and teachers and staff ran after him, Villescaz said.
They were trying to control him when he hit Mark Brattis, Villescaz said.
Brattis then hit the boy in the face, she said.
He was listed in the district directory as "educational support personnel."
Other teachers and staff witnessed the incident, Villescaz said.
A principal told her and her mother what happened, and he told her the staff member had been placed on leave, she said.
While dealing with autistic children can be difficult, Villescaz said staff and teachers are trained to not react in kind.
The Wyoming Department of Family Services became involved, too, she said.
Brattis did not have a listed phone number and could not be reached for comment.