"Nothing, nothing justifies what you did," Kaua'i Circuit Judge George Masuoka told Sullivan.

She is scheduled to start her jail term Friday. Her attorney, Bill Feldhacker, said he had not had an opportunity to discuss an appeal with her.

Sullivan is administrator of Kula Aupuni Niihau A Kahelelani Aloha charter school in Kekaha. About 60 members of the West Kaua'i Ni'ihau community, which is served by the school, jammed the courtroom during the sentencing and later rallied in Sullivan's support outside the courthouse. Later, they sang and prayed with her on the lawn fronting the County Building.

Sullivan pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree assault, then sought unsuccessfully to withdraw the plea. In court today, she said she accepted responsibility for her actions.

"I blame no one. I make no excuses," she said. "I ... assure the court that my wrongs will never be repeated."

The victim, who was 11 at the time of the 2004 incident, said the beating that led to Sullivan's arrest was part of a pattern of physical abuse that included beatings and being tied up on a regular basis.

"I never want to see that evil woman again," he said in a statement that was read to the court.

Deputy Prosecutor Jennifer Winn recommended the maximum penalty of five years in prison for the two counts of felony assault.

"Her actions merit the harshest of punishment," Winn said.