OVERLAND PARK, Kan. -- Nearly 600 people signed a change.org petition and an unknown number sent letters to the Blue Valley School Board in support of teacher Barb Hart, prior to her firing Monday night.

FOX4 has learned the board was informed before their vote one of those letters came from family of the very child she was accused of acting in violation of board policy against. An act parents have summarized as showing dignity to a special needs child.

Twenty-four hours after their impassioned pleas, supporters of Sunset Ridge Elementary teacher Barb Hart were still reeling Tuesday.

"I just feel such devastation over the outcome of the Board meeting last night, equal parts outrage and sadness that this is what's happened to a teacher like Mrs. Hart," parent Amy Foster said.

FOX4 is to

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