St. John's Military School Sued For 'Disciplinarians,' Allegedly Let Students Punish Each Other Through Gagging, Urination

Parents of four students have filed suit against the St. John's Military School in Salina, Kan., claiming the Christian school allowed a group of students -- known as the "Disciplinarians" -- to punish other students by binding, gagging, beating and urinating on them, the Courthouse News Service reports. The suit also names the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America as a defendant.

The plaintiffs claim that St. John's has settled nine suits since 2006 that also claim similar abuse. School officials allowed the seniors to punish the younger students, the complaint alleges, arguing that since the school employs a model of student-to-student discipline, it should have extensive security and surveillance in the dormitories where students reside.

The parents also allege the abuse that underclassmen endured at the hands of seniors has been extensive -- with one student claiming he's witnessed multiple suicide attempts because of it. Other alleged abuses include one student being locked in a locker for 30 minutes, forced to roll around in the mud, then being urinated on in the shower. Another describes one student being beaten so badly that the victim suffered permanent vision loss from a broken orbital socket.

The plaintiffs seek damages for negligent supervision, intentional failure to supervise, intentional infliction of emotional distress or outrage, breach of fiduciary duty and conspiracy to assault and batter.

(Read the full complaint below.)

Earlier this month, two janitors from Gregory Elementary School in Long Beach, N.J. were placed on paid suspension after they allegedly bound and gagged two 10-year-olds in the school's bathroom.

Despite the janitors' dismissal, a spokesperson for the school district told My FOX New York the incident was a "practical joke gone bad."

In February, Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent John Deasy confirmed that he had seen a few of the more than 400 photos of former teacher Mark Berndt reportedly spoon-feeding his semen to blindfolded and gagged students.

"It's sick. It makes you sick to your stomach," Deasy said, according to FOX 11. "I think the thing that is just so horrifying for us is we have thousands of amazing teachers. And we put our trust in them as they supervise students. And to violate that trust is just unforgivable."

The former teacher has since pled not guilty to committing lewd acts with the 23 children -- despite the photo evidence. The entire teaching staff was also temporarily replaced in light of the investigation.

St. John's Suit

WATCH:

Comments

[azhcyouth]

08:35 PM on 01/31/2013

I'm a SJMS alumni from the 121st corps of cadets and while i was there one such allegation was made that everyone at the school knows is false and to the best of my knowledge there is no rank or title of "disciplinarian" yes the corps handles itself quite frequently but while i was there the worst that ever happened was a serious workout session as punishment and to be honest you have to understand what kind of kids go there... myself included in this but the majority of cadets are either troubled kids who's parents feel they require discipline in their lives or academically gifted kids who can be at times socially awkward and if my gut instinct on this is right then this suit is just a bunch of immature little kids attempting to get out of the responsibility and discipline that the school has to offer I look back at saint johns with a great deal of fondness it's where i met my best friend who passed away (R.I.P. William S. Brooks) and other great friends who I still keep in contact with on a regular basis and after everything that I have said I truly hope the schools reputation isn't tarnished by these immature little brats and their pathetic attempts at crying to mommy to get them out of a stricter life than they are used to-
"Old Boy" Addison J. Reyna 121st corps

[TheKiDDD]

01:42 PM on 10/14/2012

I have attended St.Jonh's military school in the recent years and graduated. The school is not what old boys from 10-30 years ago claim it to be anymore. That school is all politics, and only look to fill their pockets. You don't have a say in anything, and they have staff members employed there that have no business working there, very underqualified personnel (no shit, the school is in Kansas). The commadant Major Steljes and his sidekick Sgt Jordan should both be removed from that school. They are the reason kids are getting hurt, and also behind many lies that have been spread about this school... Those two will do eveeything in their power to dismiss or hurt you, by simply not liking you. They will go out of their way to mess with you and belittle you. They only get along with the higher command of cadets, which are behind the hazing and beating. I would know, because I was one of the Cadets with higher authority... I believe in military schools, i think its a good way to structure your child in this tough world; but " I DO NOT BELIEVE IN ST.JOHNS" . That school needs to go!!!!!!!

[X e r o x]

10:48 PM on 07/21/2012

Anyone who thinks these things at any type of school are okay or acceptable is downright stubborn and blind. I recently met someone who went to this school and was burned naked in the showers by one kid with a lighter as 3 other kids all clothed held him down. I met this kid at a Christian camp. Yes, he is mischievous, but he never did anything to deserve this.

[Jimmy Hybrid]

06:04 AM on 07/03/2012

Informative news post on st. john military school. this is very bad thing that parents of a suffered child have claiming the Christian school allowed a group of students -- known as the "Disciplinarians" -- to punish other students by binding, gagging, beating and urinating. This is really a ridiculous thing for the school and really shameful act done under the schools premises.
http://www.militaryschoolacademy.com/

[Eric Mcbroom]

04:04 PM on 04/04/2012

as a former st johns cadet, i would lke to point out that many of these children feel sorry for themselves because they are in an undesirable situation. many of these kids find themselves in this situation because they, like me, couldnt cut it from a behavioral standpoint in public school. my time at st johns taught me a lot about personal responsibility and self reliance and ultimately helped me become a better person. most of my peers, however, did not make this transition, as many of them made up sob stories to tell their parents and friends back home in hopes of being emancipated from what is no doubt a very tough environment. these types of allegations surfaced numerous times during my stint at the school and they were almost allways based in fiction. it may be a hard pill to swallow for some of you, but wimpy parents raise wimpy kids. parents who make excuses for their kids end up with kids who make excuses. and parents who file lawsuits on behalf of their kids flimsy accusations end up with kids who will no doubt abuse the social system as adults. st johns is a school where boys are molded into men. its a tough world out there. if your boy isnt ready to be a man, dont send him to military school. keep him at home where you can coddle him and make sure he doesnt get peed on.

[Reality always bites]

07:07 PM on 03/16/2012

This is a military school.
They prepare young people to join the military or lead lives with military standards.
Considering recent events in Afghanistan-
Does anyone think military schools are doing a good job?

[esso man]

08:04 PM on 03/16/2012

the main problem these days are that there are so many PC believers in & out of the military, the line between discipline & torture are so fudged it would not be recognised by the older service man,what is happening there at the moment was common place when we served,it was nothing to be made to run the parimeter (in full kit) of the parade ground untill you dropped in all types of weather,& be expected to be on parade the following day,unless the MO decided otherwise (which was not that often) there are only certain groups today that have the type of training,namley the specials,whose training far exceeds the normal standard,so as far as I am personally concerned taking my own experiance during training & whilst serving, that standard has most definately fallen below what was expected of us!!

[clarkaar]

11:36 AM on 03/16/2012

Is it right to give ou t peoples' addresses on an online news-read?

[Melodie Woerman]

02:26 PM on 03/14/2012

Official statement from the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas, posted March 14, 2012: News media today are reporting on a lawsuit filed against St. John’s Military School in Salina, Kan., which also named the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas as a defendant. The inclusion of the Diocese of Kansas is a mistake, since the school is not connected to this diocese but is instead associated with the Episcopal Diocese of Western Kansas. The two dioceses are separate and distinct jurisdictions, with different bishops and different governing bodies. Our attorney has contacted the plaintiffs’ attorney to inform him of this mistake and has asked him to correct the filing to remove the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas from the action. We also offer our prayers for all those involved in this situation.

[invergarry]

06:37 PM on 03/12/2012

Wow...this sounds a bit like Archie and The Vigils from Robert Cormier's book The Chocolate War. That, or Lord of the Flies before they get on the plane. Disgusting.

[bellaganj]

06:18 PM on 03/12/2012

...'claiming the CHRISTIAN school allowed a group of students...' you keep using that word, i do not think it means what you think it means

[freeSpeakr]

06:52 PM on 03/12/2012

what does it mean?

[Rex Scates]

06:57 PM on 03/12/2012

he means the school allowed it I think.

Like if a school kid give another kid a cigaret to smoke at school the school allowed it I assume.

he is siding on the side of the school I assume in that a school can never have 100% control over there students and none of these things that they said happened occurred at school. Those 4 kids say they happened at the boarding side of the school. Look at police reports from the city the parents or kids never even had it researched. (at least according to searching police blogs)

[dirtydog1776]

06:11 PM on 03/12/2012

Sounds like some of the Muslims schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan, where girls are beaten for not dressing correctly and boys are punched for not memorizing the Koran correctly or asking questions.

[Rex Scates]

06:23 PM on 03/12/2012

this is a allegation not a fact. ask the current kids about these 4 and you will see what the truth is. sadly because it will never go to trial you will never hear the truth. all you will see is the school, church, and the military dragged through the mud. all the while lawyers get wealthy for failing these court documents know that it will settle because no one wants kids to testify against each other in a trial. look up police reports YOU WILL FIND NONE! yes I have looked this article has not.

[Alksg]

05:59 PM on 03/12/2012

Maybe these parents should let their children be CHILDREN and not send them to a military school in the first place. It may be where I'm from, but the entire concept is absurd to me.

[dirtydog1776]

06:14 PM on 03/12/2012

You should get out more. Some kids ( I have known some) have enjoyed military school and some actually benefit from it.

It is the sloppy liberal-leftist schools, where the teacher says there is not a right or wrong, good or bad, that every is okay, do what you want without consequences approach to education that confuses and frustrates the heck out of kids.

[insidious]

03:23 AM on 03/15/2012

Hurka durk---my dad went to military school and he ended up being a drug addict and alcoholic...just because you know a couple of examples doesn't make your statement true: that's called anecdotal evidence.
I think your labeling proves the original post correct. Next time, check the logical fallacies website at the beginning of your day to at least make some valid points to your statements.

[Rex Scates]

06:14 PM on 03/12/2012

so if a childs local school kids are trying to get them into drugs you should leave them at the school?
if your childs school has fights daily and the school does nothing you should leave them there?
If your child needs structure than can can only come from a structured environment that a home can not provide you should just let them fail?
If a child has control of the house you let them continue having control?
If a child won't go to public school and ditches you should let them?
All the above are kids being kids so you vote for that?
Or should school exist that provide structure, self esteem, earning your special privileges if so then that is what St Johns provides.
Ask kids at the schools about these 4 kids in this set of allegations and you will here very different stories than the court documents. I know because I have asked them. They all tell slightly different versions of the story but they are very very consistent but very different than the allegations above say they are.

[Rex Scates]

05:58 PM on 03/12/2012

You will see this set of allegations to be wrong soon. Allegations and if you knew the truth Huffington Post would not be posting this. grr sad. The school does so much to help many. Without that school the local public school would be costing the tax payers many tens of thousands. If you read between the lines you would not be saying what I know you will be saying in the coming hours. Seriously go and visit, read the reviews, see what past attendees say. This lawyer sees a easy target and goes after them. Look up the lawyers past. Huntington post you are not doing justice by reposing a court filing. thanks.
I do not work there
My son goes to school there
and I have confirmed 75% of what is in this allegation is not true.

[Rex Scates]

06:26 PM on 03/12/2012

Look up police records in Salina you will see nothing from these allegation have ever been asked of the local police department to be looked into.

[Rex Scates]

06:44 PM on 03/12/2012

I am not backing this school because my son goes there but because of the good it has done now and in the past. I have researched these allegations more so than I think the lawyer has and have come to very different conclusions. At a military school the older kids jobs are to work with the younger kids. It is called leadership. You earn leadership. Do kids hate being told to do pushups because they don't follow the rules? of course. Do most of the kids want to be at that school to beginning with? Of course not its a boarding school. Let alone a military boarding school. Do they end up better because of what they learned of course. This school creates leaders out of young men that need guidance to do positive things rather than bad. Will I get flamed for what I say and Believe yes! The school probably even wishes I will not post as much here as I am. (if they even want me to say anything) They probably wish that I am not using my real name. Correct I do not work for the school. Heck if you really want to contact me give me a call (just look up my name its there) I will be happy to take all calls and explain my view points.

[69skibum69]

07:01 PM on 01/12/2013

i know that this comment is old but i could not help myself. i knew your son. not very well but he was in my new boy training at the beginning of last school year. and i can say that pretty much everything you said is not accurate. first of all the older kids "working" with the younger kids is the problem there the ones who beat the lower ranking students and haze them to no end i know because it happened to me. its got nothing to do with age its all rank by the way. and the reason why most kids wont admit to it is there waiting for there chance to do the hazing once they reach a higher rank. i was the same way. once i became a platoon sergeant i had a bit of power and i admit i did my share of hazing. and very few kids benefit from st johns. ill admit some do but most end up worse than they came and develop drug problems and a majority of the kids get addicted to cigarettes. i did and so did most of my friends that i met while i was there. i just want everybody to know that yes st johns does create a few leaders but most kids do not become leaders and end up becoming criminals because of the culture we were surrounded in. i would never send a child to st johns not now not ever

[Smithn]

05:02 PM on 03/12/2012

School busing has probably been deregulated and outsourced; so, the unemployed Mining Disaster Execs are running it now.

[freeSpeakr]

04:42 PM on 03/12/2012

A Christian Military school. And urolagnia too!

Jesus would be so happy!

[Rex Scates]

06:03 PM on 03/12/2012

if you visited the school
talked to the current students and past students you would not say this
ask students for the student version of these stories and you would here a different version.
No it was not given to them by the employees of the school they know these kids and know what really happened

[dirtydog1776]

06:09 PM on 03/12/2012

Yes, they can stick the Crucifix in a bottle of urine, call it art and the Federal government will pay for it! Free condoms for everyone! Wheeeeeee..........

You certainly use big words for a liberal, you must not have attended a public school or you are an exception to the rule.

[freeSpeakr]

06:44 PM on 03/12/2012

The urolagnia ref is to the fact that teachers at a Christian school were involved in that, and choking. So urolagnia and breath play … those are some kinky teachers.

And how does Andres Serrano figure into this - the ref was to the story at hand. I realize the spittle is flecking but do try to keep up.