Tool from teen's job gets him suspended from high school

[Boomhauer]

Is private school better?

Of course, that was back when high school students (like my father) drove the school buses, too.

??

What do you mean ??. Back in the day ('60s and '70s) high school students drove the school buses. My father also drove the bus when the band went on trips (he was a member of the band). I know this is unfathomable to many of us whippersnappers, but it used to be the case.

And, yeah, private schools are better than public schools. There are going to be exceptions, of course, but this is in general. Home schooling is also better.

[coppertales]

I guess I am lucky.  When I went to school and misbehaved, the principal just busted your ass with a paddle and it was over.  Now it is a different story.  One of the guys in the office had his kid suspended for fighting.  He was sucker punched by a jock.  School policy says both get suspended no matter what.  The jock got reinstated because of a big game the following Friday.  Court action is now pending....chris3

[seeker_two]

On the other hand, now that I'm an adult, my standard response is simple:  'Zero tolerance' combined with 'mandatory punishment' you get what I call 'zero thought' policies.  It doesn't take somebody with a college degree to enforce zero though policies.

Congratulations Principal, you've just caused me to redefine your job as 'unskilled labor', with an appropriate payscale!  IE Minimum wage.

I've always said that, due to zero tolerance policies, any trained chimp in a diaper could be a school superintendent...

[roo_ster]

Is private school better?

Of course, that was back when high school students (like my father) drove the school buses, too.

??

Oh, I am quite sure some private schools are perfect little zones of unreality and power abuse.

Thing is:

1. The taxpayer isn't supporting the unreality in Pleasant Valley Preparatory School of Private Psychoses.

2. Most private schools have a much smaller and more interested group of people who have a say or input.  Thus, when foolishness is spotted, it is more quickly dealt with.  There are politics, but the person responsible for the foolishness can less rely on the indifference of the interested parties.

3. Private schools are not government entities with the power that implies

4. Private schools that do ridiculous things have their reputations suffer and fewer parents willing  fork over $$$ to send their kids.  Similar public schools generally get the same level of funding to keep on doing the same thing.

[Brad Johnson]

I took the time to send them a polite, but very "to the point" message about the incident.  Would you believe they actually responded?  Not much of a response, though - obviously a canned message prepared for everyone who has, and will, contact them about it.  It is the typical "we are only following policy" response.

Reply from one Nancy Amenrud, Blaine Schools (title unknown)...

Thank you for your message.  Our first priority is the safety of all our
students.  We take all incidents very seriously, which we believe
district parents expect us to do.  We try to apply our policies in a
uniform and consistent manner for all students.

The School Board, not school principals, make the ultimate decision
about discipline given to students who violate the weapons policy. All
Anoka-Hennepin principals must follow the district policy and refer
these situations to the School Board.

The school board takes these matters very seriously and reviews them on
a case-by-case basis during each student's hearing before the board.

[Ned Hamford]

"The school board takes these matters very seriously and reviews them on
a case-by-case basis during each student's hearing before the board."

This line really seems in direct contradiction to the very concept of a 'zero tolerance' policy.

[Brad Johnson]

Ahhh grasshoppa ... application of Google Fu find following:

School board members as of August 25, 2008

Micheal Sullivan, Board Chair
Tom Heidemann, Vice Chair
Jerry Newton, Clerk
John Hoffman, Treasurer
Dr. Scott Wenzel, Director
Marci Anderson, Director

The school web site even provides a handy link to a PDF of School Board Action, complete with pictures of board members.  You'll have to cut and paste, removing the second "h" at the beginning.

hhttp://www.anoka.k12.mn.us/education/sctemp/d08a201f57169609366f06ee29e85068/1221759726/ASB_August_25.pdf

Brad

[Perd Hapley]

Is private school better?

Of course not.  The govt. always does a better job at everything than that nasty, greedy, private sector.   

[Balog]

Is private school better?

Of course not.  The govt. always does a better job at everything than that nasty, greedy, private sector.   

Meh, neither hold a candle to home schooling.....

[MicroBalrog]

Is private school better?

Of course not.  The govt. always does a better job at everything than that nasty, greedy, private sector.   

Meh, neither hold a candle to home schooling.....

Yes, but would you want fistful to homeschool? WOULD YOU?