Witnesses say a Florida substitute teacher kicked a student with disabilities and then declared, “Now we’re square.”
Story Highlights
- Flagler County deputies arrested substitute teacher Bryan Schewitz on a child abuse charge.
- Witnesses reported a kick to the student’s leg and a visible mark afterward.
- A witness quoted Schewitz saying, “The gloves are off,” and “Now we’re square.”
- Schewitz says the student kicked him first and the contact was accidental.
Arrest After Classroom Incident At Matanzas High School
Flagler County deputies arrested substitute teacher Bryan Schewitz after an October 16 incident at Matanzas High School in Palm Coast. The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office said a school resource deputy received a report that Schewitz kicked a student with disabilities during a behavioral episode. Deputies charged Schewitz with child abuse without great bodily harm and processed him at the county jail. News reports state he was later released on bond. The charge is an allegation and not a conviction.
Two witnesses described forceful actions by the substitute. One witness told deputies Schewitz kicked the student in the leg. Another reported that Schewitz moved the student into a chair and put the student’s hands on a table. A witness later saw a large mark on the student’s leg. Deputies documented statements that the substitute said, “The gloves are off,” during the interaction, and, “He kicked me and I kicked him. So now we’re square.”
Substitute’s Account And Reported Statements
Schewitz told investigators the student kicked him first. He said he stuck out his foot and accidentally kicked the student. Outlets reported that he initially denied saying the “square” remark and later stated the kick was accidental. His account accepts contact occurred but disputes intent. That detail could matter for prosecutors because the charge involves willful conduct against a minor. Deputies relied on witness statements to support the arrest.
ClickOrlando reported that a witness said Schewitz forcefully seated the student, placed the student’s hands on a table, and used the phrase “The gloves are off.” That reported statement, paired with “Now we’re square,” shaped headlines across outlets. Such phrases can take on outsized weight in public debate because they hint at retaliation. However, the legal case will turn on evidence of intent and the exact sequence of events described by witnesses.
Why This Case Taps A Deeper School Safety Fault Line
Schools face tense moments when students with disabilities experience behavioral crises. Federal data show that the use of physical restraint is rare overall, but students served under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act make up most of the recorded cases. The Government Accountability Office reported roughly 61,000 students were restrained in 2013–14, or about 0.1 percent of public school students, with students with disabilities comprising about three quarters of those cases.
Those numbers do not judge what happened in this classroom, but they explain why these cases spark strong reactions. Parents worry about safety and dignity. Teachers worry about training, support, and clear rules in fast-moving situations. When lines blur between crisis management and prohibited force, trust in institutions erodes. People on the right and left see systems that are quick to defend themselves and slow to fix root problems. They want accountability, transparency, and real support for staff and families.
Next Steps For The Case And The Community
Prosecutors will review witness accounts and any school or body-camera records that exist. The defense will stress the claim of accidental contact and the student’s reported kicking. The court will weigh whether the evidence shows intentional harm. The school district has not issued a detailed public accounting in the reporting cited. Families and staff will look for answers on training, supervision, and how incidents are documented and reported to parents and the community.
Florida substitute teacher busted for allegedly kicking special needs student: 'Now we're square' https://t.co/2Dh729HFc6 pic.twitter.com/1QPzLfNFdZ
— New York Post (@nypost) October 20, 2026
This case underscores a core civic promise: schools must protect every child while giving educators clear tools to handle crises. That means better training, faster help in classrooms, and honest reporting when things go wrong. People can disagree on national politics and still agree on this. Safety, respect, and the rule of law must guide every decision in a school hallway. When leaders meet that standard, trust grows. When they do not, faith in the system fades.
Sources:
nypost.com, wftv.com, observerlocalnews.com
