You might want to actually read the article. There is NO policy that says discipline must be administered by by the same gender.
Actually, as I read the article, it very strongly implies that there IS a “same sex” policy, and the School Superintendent wants to change it.
"...Neither Jorgensen, nor the vice principal nor Springtown ISD Superintendent Mike Kelley, was available for comment by ABC News. But according to WFAA, Kelley is going to ask the school board to abolish the same gender policy, since adhering to it can be difficult on some campuses..."
Why would he want to abolish it if it doesn't exist?
Actually, there is a policy that only the same-gender adult may conduct a spanking.
Here is a link to the Springtown ISD board policy on student discipline, and the relevant section of the policy:
“Corporal punishment shall be administered only by an employee who is the same sex as the student.”
http://pol.tasb.org/Policy/Download/983?filename=FO(LOCAL).pdf
The parent is right. The principal violated her daughter.
You might want to read the article again:
"The vice principal added that he had no idea about the same gender swatting, Jorgensen said.... Butt according to WFAA, Kelley is going to ask the school board to abolish the same gender policy, since adhering to it can be difficult on some campuses. Jorgensen told WFAA that she will be at the school board meeting to encourage them not to abolish the same-gender policy.
"I think Taylor is proof that we need to keep that policy," she said. "I don't believe a man intentionally meant to do that to her, but it still happens, because men are too big and strong to be hitting 96-pound girls."