Atlanta autism teacher terminated after she allegedly struck student

The Atlanta Board of Education unanimously voted to terminate the employment of an autism teacher who allegedly hit a student with a closed fist earlier this school year.

Angela Christian-Vaughn’s termination was effective Tuesday, after the board voted Monday to accept a tribunal’s recommendation and finding of fact.

The Ralph J. Bunche Middle School special education autism teacher had been reassigned from her regular duties but still on the payroll after her arrest Oct. 19 on a misdemeanor battery charge. She allegedly struck a student "in the facial area with a closed fist," according to an Atlanta Public Schools police report; the student suffered minor face lacerations.

APS has not responded to a public records request filed Tuesday by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution for the tribunal report or provided information about the status of the criminal case.

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