Teacher who allowed class to "vote out" kindergarten student with Asperger's wins appeal to keep her tenure

From WPTV:

FT. PIERCE, Fla. -- Wendy Portillo broke down in tears when the St. Lucie County School Board made their decision.

She's still suspended without pay until November, but when she returns to the classroom, she'll come back with tenure.

Portillo has been a teacher in St. Lucie County for 12 years.

It was a little more than a year ago that Portillo had 5-year old Alex Barton (pictured) in her Kindergarten class at Morningside Elementary School.

Alex had apparently been acting up. Portillo had the other students take a vote and they decided to send Alex out of the room.

The incident gained worldwide attention. Alex was in the process of being diagnosed with a form of autism called Asperger's Syndrome.

St. Lucie County Schools Superintendent Michael Lannon recommended Portillo be suspended without pay for a year and be placed on an annual contract when she returned.

An administrative judge upheld the recommendation.

Portillo appealed the decision to the school board June 10 and they voted to let her keep her tenure.

A dozen supporters spoke on her behalf.

Portillo would not talk about that day at Morningside, telling Newschannel 5, "It's done. I'm looking forward, I'm going forward."

Barton's mother, Melissa, is still planning to sue the school district.

As for the board's decision, Barton says, "I'm disgusted quite frankly and I think this sends a message to parents like myself of special needs children that our children are not safe in St. Lucie County and anything can happen."

Portillo's suspension ends in November. After that, she's guaranteed a teaching job in the district.

District officials don't know yet if she'll return to Morningside Elementary School.