A father says his 8-year-old son was handcuffed and a bag was put over his head as discipline after an incident at his elementary school.

Michael Swapsy Sr. got a call he didn't expect from his son's principal, letting him know that his son was in handcuffs.

"This can't be happening, this can't be real, but this is really happening and you know, I'm distraught, disappointed," Swapsy says.

Swapsy's son is a third grader at Explorer Elementary in Goddard. He has an individualized learning plan at school, also known as an IEP, to help with his ADHD. Swapsy says Tuesday, his son was triggered by his teacher using a timer during an assignment, and the situation escalated.

"I was talking about, you know, 'you guys should be following the IEP,'" Swapsy says. "Even though it's not in there, we talked about it at the last IEP meeting, about them not utilizing (the timer) because it got Michael upset."

Swapsy says his son became upset and started spitting at staff. School officers were called. He says his son was handcuffed and a bag was put over his head.

Dane Baxa, with Goddard Public Schools, says safety of its students and staff is its top priority.

"When there is a spread of bodily fluids, that may contain pathogens, our police have to respond in the appropriate manner to keep all students and staff safe," said Baxa.

Swapsy says his son has had outbursts in class before, but doesn't understand why they would treat his son this way, especially considering the boy's disability. He says the administration should have been able to handle it and he says there's no reason for the response.

"There's no justification for that, none whatsoever," Swapsy says.

Baxa says school officers are trained to handle student behavior.

"Our Goddard school police officers are trained when they are hired, and continue to receive professional development throughout their career on dealing with student behaviors, and intervening with the appropriate seclusion and restraint techniques, only when student and staff are put in harms way," said Baxa.

The district Thursday couldn't confirm or deny whether the student was handcuffed. The district says school police will be able to answer more questions next week.