Student expelled for bread knife to return to class
Posted on 03/21/2002 9:28:05 AM PST by MeekOneGOP
Student expelled for bread knife to return to class
03/21/2002
BEDFORD - An honors student expelled from a North Texas school after a bread knife was discovered in the back of his pickup truck will return to classes Friday after school district officials reduced his punishment.
Taylor Hess, expelled from L.D. Bell High School in Hurst two weeks ago, will return after an agreement between Hurst-Euless-Bedford school district officials and his parents was reached Thursday.
"Actually, what I was hoping for is exactly what I've got," Robert Hess, the youth's father, said after the hearing.
Since his expulsion, Taylor Hess had been attending alternative school.
Under the deal between his parents and school officials, Hess' expulsion will be reduced from the rest of the school year to time served.
Superintendent Gene Bunger had said state law allows little room for discretion where weapons are concerned under zero tolerance policies.
Fine. Then in a few years, this young man will apply to purchase a firearm and will be turned down. What then? How will he defend himself against the charge that he brought a dangerous weapon to school? My, how we dis-honor our Honor Students!
REDUCED his sentence? What about revoking his sentence?I hadn't thought of that, but you are absolutely correct. I'm sure, though, that would be
Home school and keep a Bowie knife for a letter opener next to your desk.LOL! There ya go! :O)
Your celebrating over this? Time served for having a butter knife in your pick up truck, in the parking lot of a school? Reduced to time served. LOL! Scratch that. Sad.Your comment along with a few others here have shown me they really should have revoked the sentence.
Oh for chrissakes. It's so ridiculous I don't even know where to begin. I remember I brought a butter knife to school for lunch to peel an apple in the 3rd grade because I didn't know you couldn't do that kind of thing. Luckily, nobody ratted on me, but I was truly terrified of what would happen to me if somebody did.
NEWS RELEASE
Media Contact: Dr. Gene Buinger, Superintendent of Schools
The motivation of the District in this student discipline matter involving Taylor Hess is, and has always been, to provide a safe school environment for all the District’s students. The Hess family agrees with the District’s motivation to keep schools safe and appreciates the amicable resolution of Taylor’s discipline matter.
It was the District administration’s intent to recommend at the appeal hearing today that we adhere to the mandatory expulsion, as required by state law, but with regard to the length of that expulsion, which is discretionary, that we reduce the length of the discipline to time already served at the District Disciplinary Alternative Education Program. While reasonable minds can disagree about the student discipline law, the Hess family has agreed with the District administration’s recommendation. Therefore, there is no need for the hearing today.
Therefore, all parties have agreed that Taylor was officially expelled, as is required by state law, and the length of that expulsion has been reduced to the five days that Taylor has already served in the District’s Disciplinary Alternative Education Program, and Taylor will return to LD Bell High School tomorrow.
As per the District’s procedures, an expulsion to the Disciplinary Alternative Education Program does not appear on a student’s permanent record in any way.
The Hess family would like to thank the community for their interest and support of Taylor during this trying ordeal. The outpouring of support the family has felt has meant more than the community can imagine.
Likewise, the District appreciates the support it has received regarding its enforcement of laws and rules designed to protect the safety of all HEB students.
My home schooled 16/yr old daughter keeps a Swiss army knife in her backpack. I borrowed it the other day and found out she has seriously sharpened it. Way beyond a normal Swiss army knife. That thing could do some damage.
Good for her. Never use a dull knife, they are more dangerous than sharp ones. She shouldn't have any trouble opening an envelope.
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