I'm surprised that any high school would be dishing out 'spankings in this day and age. They pretty much asked to be sued. Then to go and hit a kid on his tail bone....well there you have it, utter stupidity.
Don't believe everything you read. Second, we don't know how that happened. If what I suspect is true, the kid tried to avoid the swat causing the problem.
When I was in high school MANY years ago, I saw a coach paddle a boy in gym class. The paddle broke and flew the entire length of the gym floor.
I don't think that would be allowed today.
You're assuming the story is as the McManuses say.
What if it's not?