Expulsions for Water Guns Protested (7 students - Louisiana)

Baton Rouge Advocate ^ | July 2, 2002 | Ryan Goudelocke

[Shermy]

Seven children have been given short-term expulsions from Sherwood Middle School for carrying three water guns -- toys that two parents say didn't contain any water and were never used -- on the last day of classes in May.

Though the School Board has no policy that mentions water guns, Sherwood Middle does: Principal Phyllis Crawford said toy guns of any kind are banned from school grounds.

Those seven children, including Brittnee Brown, received conditional expulsions, which means they'll attend school for at least a month at Valley Park Alternative School before being allowed to return to Sherwood Middle, according to a letter received by Brown's mother, Vanessa.

"My concern is that there are double standards being applied," Brown said.

Brown said the School Board's own handbook lists possession of "inappropriate articles" at school -- including trading cards, comic books and games -- as a minor offense.

"It certainly does not say expulsion," she said.

Crawford, who wouldn't talk about her school's investigation of the incident or the punishment meted out, said those particular "articles" were not a minor problem.

Parents of other children were alarmed by rumors, she said.

"The parents of some of the kids were terrified -- they were saying there might be Clorox or pesticides in the guns," she said. "It was causing a really big deal at our school."

In any case, she added, "Guns of any kind are not appropriate at a school at any time."

Brown, however, pointed out that on the last day of classes at Northeast Middle School, teachers sprayed water guns in fun at departing buses filled with students.

Brown said she went before a hearing officer after receiving notice of her daughter's expulsion. The hearing officer reduced the recommended semester expulsion to one month, she said.

Brown said she's received no reply to a letter she sent to school system Superintendent Clayton Wilcox asking that the School Board take a look at the punishment. Brown said she tried to check the status of her appeal Monday, but "They gave me the run-around."

A school system spokeswoman said the parents have not appealed the expulsions.

"The parents had the option of bringing the expulsions to the board -- taking this a step higher," spokeswoman Meg Casper said. "They didn't."

Another parent said a school system worker told him the decision could not be appealed at all.

Joe Austin said a secretary told him the board would not consider an appeal because the hearing officer had decreased the expulsion from a semester to a month.

"It's so frustrating," said Austin, whose son Michael was among those expelled. "It's uncalled for, this type of action."

Austin said the squirt guns had been in a mesh compartment in one of the students' bookbags and weren't used to spray water at anyone.

"This is why parents don't want their kids in the public school system," he said.

Austin said he might enroll his son in a private school.

Brown said her daughter and the other six children received "semester expulsions," though Crawford will allow the students to return to Sherwood Middle on Sept. 10.

Between that day and the start of school on Aug. 12, they'll attend Valley Park.

The conditions placed on their monthlong punishment include daily attendance, following all school rules and "participating in all academic experiences."

Valley Park is a school for students with disciplinary problems.

"That's one strike that should not be against these children," Brown said. "The word is 'expelled.' You can't just say, 'No, I was suspended.' It's like you're a convict or you're not. And expulsion is not a minor thing, especially not to me."

[martin_fierro]

Meanwhile, I wonder whether these kids are able to read the instructions that come with the squirtguns.

[goodieD]

zero tolerance policies, another great reason to homeschool.

[Liberty Ship]

Could someone please explain "short term expulsion?" Is that the same thing as a "temporary death penalty?" Is there no end to the lengths these school administrators will go to destroy our language, not to mention the spirit and minds of our children?

[DETAILER]

Wow, when I think of all the water ballons I threw in school, and the numerous people I shot with a water gun, or the firecrackers we blew up in the halls - It's a wonder I'm not in jail for life. I guess by today's standards I would be. Back then we had kitchen duty or taking out the trash from every class, or writing lines on the blackboard, no one would have dreamed of "alternative" school for a month, or expulsions or suspension except in very extreme cases.

[TigersEye]

guns -- toys that two parents say didn't contain any water and were never used --

It doesn't matter that they weren't loaded. Trigger locks should have been installed.

In any case, she added, "Guns of any kind are not appropriate at a school at any time."

I'll bet you could find loads of ammunition for rubber band guns in the teachers desks.