Teacher axed for treatment of autistic boy

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla., Nov. 19 (UPI) -- A school board in Florida has voted to suspend a kindergarten teacher who allowed her students to vote on whether an autistic boy could remain in class.

Teacher Wendy Portillo did not address the Port St. Lucie School Board before the action was taken Tuesday night, the Web site TCPalm.com reported.

A police report says Portillo brought 5-year-old Alex Barton to the front of the classroom last May 21 and asked students to vote on whether he should stay in class given his behavior.

At the time, the boy was in the process of being diagnosed with Asperger syndrome, a form of autism.

In addition to the suspension, the Port St. Lucie's superintendent of schools has recommended revoking Portillo's tenure and placing her on an annual contract.

Portillo's attorney has notified the board he intends to contest the suspension before the state's Division of Administrative Hearings.