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“This was all about trying to restrain a (fifth grade) student who regularly freaks out, hits kids, teachers and staff and who everybody is afraid of,” said a TDSB insider.

“Nobody on the staff was able to handle this student so the principal was called in to help.”

This same principal, Hume, has been in the news before — criticized by parents for not doing enough to protect their kids from a bully.

AsGlobal News reported in Jan. 2017, the Chester Elementary principal addressed the concerns in a newsletter saying “it is unfortunate that Global has chosen to air this piece without seeking to understand the whole story. As you all likely understand, we are unable to respond to specifics as it would impact upon the privacy of a number of families. I will say that the situation as described in the piece is far from complete.”

In this case, Hume is the one accused of assaulting the student. He is innocent until proven guilty and the charges against him have yet to be tested or proven in a court of law. That said, what has been left behind at the school has been described as a giant mess.

“It’s chaos,” said one insider, adding staff is “scared” and not sure “what they can and can’t do.”

A board insider says at least three students have complained of being struck and a staff member went to hospital. But it’s the principal who has been suspended and the student is now calling all the shots.

Sources say parents were sent home a letter from the board describing how the principal was charged in an incident with a 10-year-old student. A board insider said this did not solve the concern of not wanting anybody hurt or to end up going to jail.

With the principal already facing charges, faculty and staff are concerned it could be one of them next.

jwarmington@postmedia.com