Parents say their son, other students with disabilities forced to clean high school cafeteria

SUMTER, S.C. (WIS/Gray News) - The parents of a South Carolina high school student who has autism say he and other students with disabilities were required to clean the school cafeteria.

Jeremiah and Felicia Sams can’t believe what they say happened to their son, Will, at Lakewood High School in Sumter.

“Those teachers didn’t even say anything. They knew it was wrong,” Jeremiah Sams said.

The parents say Will, who is on the autism spectrum, came home from school recently and told them he had to clean cafeteria tables and floors after other students finished eating.

“I said, ‘What are you talking about cleaning?’ That’s when we went into detail. That’s when he explained to me, ‘Oh, well, we have to go in and clean, and they give us gloves and a bucket,’” Jeremiah Sams said.

The father says at first, he thought he was misunderstanding the situation.

“My first reaction was something’s not right. No, I’m hearing this wrong. There’s no way that they have one group of children doing all of this,” he said.

Jeremiah Sams says he spoke with school leaders the next day. He was told his son and other students cleaned the cafeteria as part of a “work study program.” He realized only disabled students were involved and calls the activity discriminatory.

“If you are singling out a group — an individual group — to do a task, that’s discrimination. It’s black and white,” he said.

The Sumter School District responded in a statement in part:

“Through employability classes and individualized life skills instruction, students develop practical skills that promote independence, build confidence, and support their transition into adulthood.”

Jeremiah Sams says his son wasn’t in an employability class. He says after the meeting, the school contacted him to say the “work study program” had ceased.

The school district’s statement says its “life skills activities and any alternative approaches... are being reviewed.”

Although Jeremiah Sams considers that a step in the right direction, he says more needs to be done.

“Definitely need to see some change in the school system. We need to see some accountability in how these kids are being monitored, how they are being pushed, essentially,” he said.

The school district’s full statement reads as follows:

“Sumter School District is committed to providing students who are enrolled in our employability class with meaningful learning experiences that prepare them for life beyond high school. Through employability classes and individualized life skills instruction, students develop practical skills that promote independence, build confidence, and support their transition into adulthood. Students are offered a variety of activities, including clearing cafeteria tables, selling popcorn and slushies as classroom fundraisers, and creating crafts. These activities are designed to help students practice life skills and develop employability-related competencies. The activities are discussed during federal required annual team meetings with a parent/guardian. As an extra layer of support for all students, the district’s life skills activities and any alternative approaches that provide meaningful opportunities for students to develop independence and practical life skills are being reviewed to ensure they support the goals of each student. Sumter School District remains committed to working collaboratively with families to ensure students receive instruction and support that respect their individual needs and prepare them for success beyond the classroom.”