Community Accountability Network

Tag: Downsville Charter

  • Downsville Demons — Part 2

    Sheriff Gates Stands by Investigation as Allegations Surface at Downsville Charter

    Union Parish Sheriff Dusty Gates says he stands by the work of his investigators following a recent case connected to Downsville Community Charter School.

    In a recent meeting, Sheriff Gates told me that his investigators conducted a thorough investigation into the matter and handled it appropriately. Gates also stated that he personally disagrees with the District Attorney’s decision in the case but continues to support the work carried out by his department.

    The case has drawn increased attention to the school and its leadership, prompting a number of parents, former students, and community members to reach out with their own concerns regarding Downsville Community Charter School and its Executive Director, Tony Cain.

    Over the past several months, numerous individuals have contacted me describing their experiences at the school. The concerns shared fall into several general categories, including discipline practices, handling of bullying complaints, student search procedures, treatment of students with IEPs and 504 plans, and communication with parents during disciplinary matters.

    Some individuals also described incidents they believe involved extreme, inappropriate and excessive discipline or force, while others reported concerns about how complaints were handled by school administration. At this stage, these accounts remain allegations shared by individuals who reached out directly.

    I have spoken with Mr. Cain regarding these concerns and provided him with the general areas of inquiry. Mr. Cain provided a written response addressing school policies related to discipline, bullying procedures, student searches, and school governance. His full response will be published in Part Three so readers can review his explanation in full.

    In addition to gathering accounts from parents and former students, public records requests have been submitted to the Louisiana Department of Education seeking documentation related to governance records, board actions, contract renewals, and bylaw amendments at the school as I have concerns about the way the school has been structured.

    This article is Part Two of an ongoing review. Future reporting will focus on documented records, school policies, and responses from school leadership.

    My opinion:
    I have reviewed over twenty-five accounts of serious allegations against Mr. Cain. I am personally very concerned about the criminal charges being dropped, the case being silenced and the allegations continuing thereafter. I have reviewed the evidence in the case, and while I am not a lawyer, I find myself very concerned at the decision to not move forward through the proper legal channels on this matter.

    I will be reaching out to the DA/Judge’s office to request a meeting to discuss these concerns. When a Sheriff’s office feels confident in their work and investigation and are left with the same concerns as the citizens, that indicates a lack of transparency somewhere along the line.

    Anyone with documentation related to these matters may contact me privately at [email protected].

  • Downsville Demons — Part 1

    Serious Concerns Raised About Downsville Charter School

    I’ve received multiple messages from parents raising serious concerns about Downsville Charter School, including allegations of excessive corporal punishment, dismissed bullying complaints, and administrative responses they say have harmed students.

    Parents allege that when students report bullying, they are often told they are “tattling,” dismissed, or instructed to be quiet. When parents attempt to advocate for their children, they say concerns are deflected or placed back on the child. Several families describe a pattern in which unresolved bullying escalates until a child reacts, resulting in disciplinary action against the student rather than addressing the original complaint. Some parents also allege the school has been quick to suggest having children admitted for evaluation instead of addressing underlying issues.

    One of the most serious accounts shared with me involves an 11-year-old student with a Section 504 designation. According to my source, the student was removed from class following activity on a school computer and taken to the office by staff identified as Tony Cain and another staff member referred to as Mr. Bean. The parent alleges Mr. Cain authorized and carried out corporal punishment using a plastic paddle, resulting in broken skin and severe bruising. Photos provided to me appear to show extensive bruising. Corporal punishment of students with Section 504 protections is prohibited under state and federal law.

    According to the account, the Union Parish Sheriff’s Department investigated the incident and confiscated the paddle. No criminal charges have been filed at this time. Following the incident, the school board reportedly implemented a policy prohibiting corporal punishment.

    This is an ongoing story. I did reach out to the school for an interview, but as of the date of this publication have not yet received an official response.

    If you are a parent, student, or staff member with relevant information or experiences involving Downsville Charter School and would like to share them, you can contact me privately. Information can be shared safely and anonymously, and identities will not be published without consent.

    I will continue to update as more information becomes available.