She warned him to be careful around teachers. Williams said that she called the police but that they told her they would respond only if she called from the school while all three teachers were there. Williams said her work schedule did not permit that. Since then, the family moved to Takoma Park, Md., because she did not want her son in D.C. schools. Although there are numerous corporal punishment allegations reported to the school system, few appear to result in lawsuits against the city.
Lawyers say the reason is that the cases often cost more money to pursue than they yield in damages.
In several instances in which litigation has been filed, the city agreed to settle. One of those cases was filed by the mother of Corey Yates, who is now 10. In 1996, Corey said, he was in the lunch room at McGogney Elementary School in Southeast. One of his teachers, Allison York, accused him of attempting to throw an orange at her. When he returned to the classroom, Corey said, York grabbed his wrists, held them behind his back and told other students to attack him.