I suspect, that over the years, school officials and teachers now have zero disciplinary options over their "students." The school may have little choice other than calling authorities outside of the establishment. There was a time when the teacher could take whatever action was warranted, including spanking. Another spanking awaited the child whenever he or she got home after school. Those days are gone! Today instead of another spanking the teacher gets "spanked" by the parents; i.e. the teacher faces lawyers and disciplinary action, anger management classes, diversity training, etc.
My dad used to teach choir at a high school in Phoenix, AZ...he’s retired now.
But he told me about a time when it was really cold outside (like mid-30’s) and one of his girl students came in wearing only a halter top (no jacket) and he just said, “whoo, put some clothes on”...
Well he reported her to the administration, because she was not dressed to code and healthwise, it wasn’t very smart of her to be wearing hardly anything in such cold weather.
The next day, wouldn’t ya know it, he got a call from this students dad, going on about sexual harassment, calling his lawyers, etc. And all my dad did was tell her to put more clothes on because it was cold.
Luckily, nothing happened, because my dad had the school backing him, but that student was a thorn in his side the rest of the year and he did his best to not talk to her and just get by.
So unfortunately, you’re right...instead of students being afraid of the teachers and officials, it’s the other way around.