Entire staff suspended at LA abuse inquiry school

All the staff at a school where two teachers were arrested on suspicion of child abuse have been suspended while education officials investigate the claims.

John Deasy, a school superintendent, told parents that a replacement workforce had been trained to take over teaching at Miramonte Elementary School in Los Angeles. There will also be a psychiatric social worker in every classroom.

The move follows the arrest of two teachers last week. Mark Berndt is charged with committing lewd acts on 23 children aged between six and 10 and Martin Springer was arrested on suspicion of fondling two girls in his classroom.

More than a quarter of the students at Miramonte were absent from school on Monday while parents demanded more protection at the school.