Assault complaint filed against principal at Calvary Way school

Parents of three students have filed an assault complaint against Rev. Glenn Douglas Barton, head of the Calvary Way Pentecostal Ministries.

Kilgore Police Department is investigating the alleged assault of the trio. Calvary Way is at 106 Woodlawn.

Captain Randy Hancock, Kilgore Police Department, said an incident report was taken by Officer Richard Stanley at noon yesterday. Parents of three students allege that during an altercation at the school Wednesday morning their daughters were physically assaulted – shaken – by Barton.

Hancock said a detective will be assigned the case to investigate the allegations. “The complaint is for assault by physical contact.” The offense is a class C misdemeanor and carries a fine up to $500, said Hancock.

Jane Boyd, mother of one of the juveniles involved, said she was notified of the incident at work by another parent who had received a cell phone call from a student at the school.

“My daughter has been having problems with a boy who also attends the school, which she told me caused the incident during a break Wednesday morning,” said Boyd. “My daughter asked to call me because she was so upset and Barton refused to let her make a call.”

Boyd said her daughter told her Barton grabbed her by the arms and shook her and then shoved her down in a chair. Barton “grabbed her so hard he left marks on her arms,” said Boyd. “When I confronted Barton about the incident he lied to me about several things.”

Boyd said Barton told her the school was his turf and it was run by his rules.

Boyd said Randy and Beverly Robinson, parents of the other two juveniles involved, also filed a complaint with the Kilgore Police Department.

Barton said the disturbance began during a break and the girls had become very emotional. “We have a zero-tolerance policy for this type of behavior at the school,” said Barton. “I have an open-handed, aggressive approach to discipline and the girls were directed to their seats and physically seated.”

Barton said there was no assault and he told the girls if they would calm down and be seated he would notify their parents to come to the school. “The whole incident only lasted approximately eight to ten minutes,” said Barton. “We have had problems with these girls before but nothing more than disruptive behavior.”

Barton said he did nothing more than control the situation according to guidelines laid out by the school. No one was injured, he said. “The girls went home with their parents and the school returned to normal operation,” said Barton. “I know one girl cleared out her desk so I don’t know if this means she will not be returning to school.”

Barton said Calvary Way has approximately 50 students ranging in age from Pre-K to high school and even offers day care facilities.