 |
| Serving Callaway County communities since 1875. | www.fultonsun.com | Saturday, July 04, 2009 |
| |||||||
|
Fulton parents not happy with perception of student discipline By KATHERINE CUMMINS The Fulton Sun
At question during a special open school board work session Wednesday, was when a student should be investigated and held accountable to a citizenship contract based on Missouri State High School Activities Association eligibility guidelines - including an agreement not to drink, smoke or do drugs - that students are required to sign every year before being allowed to participate in extra-curricular activities. “Past boards have said ‘If you have reason to suspect (a violation of the contract) we expect you to investigate,'” Enderle said. The current board decided to seek parental input, and the overwhelming consensus was that not all Fulton parents are happy with how that policy has been carried out. “I don't think hearsay is a reason to bring a kid in for questioning, period,” stated one parent. “I agree,” said parent Catherine Christensen. “I think we've created a severe amount of distrust (with the current policy.) “There has to be more than just locker room rumors (because) with kids, stories get blown out of proportion,” she continued. Parents expressed concerns that the perception is that all it takes for a pupil to be called into the office and investigated is a random comment in the hallway, or one student getting angry and making up a story. Another perception is that district officials use MySpace and Facebook pages to keep track of what students are up to outside of school, and that students are raked over the coals when they are brought into the principal's office for questioning. Parent Joe Abbott said he feels the district is interfering too much in what should be a parents' realm. “I'm my son's father - it's my job as a parent to discipline my kids,” Abbott said, noting. “What we're seeing here is overstepping by the district into parenting. If it's not punished in a court of law, it's hearsay, and should be left to the parents.” High school principal Terri Arms did her best to counter those arguments. “... we're not trying to manipulate or browbeat these kids,” Arms said. “Not once have we investigated because a student came to us and said ‘so and so had a party.' Information that we have gotten that leads to these investigations comes from an adult.” Superintendent Mark Enderle pointed out that the district is required by MSHSAA to investigate when they have reason to believe a student has violated the citizenship code. “If we were to choose not to follow up - whether the information came from a student or a parent - then we would have to answer to MSHSAA,” he said. “Any time they think we're in violation, they have the ability - and, we know from painful experience - the will to forfeit a competition for us.” Even so, parent Laura Archuletta said some sort of compromise must be met - possibly by bringing parents into the investigative process earlier - to make the current situation better. “I think our biggest issue is that until those perceptions are eliminated, this is going to continue to be a problem.” The board will further discuss the issue and come to a decision regarding the district's policy at its Aug. 13 meeting. |
 |
Email this story | |
 |
Back to index | |
 |
Printer friendly version |
All Contents Copyright © 2009 The Fulton Sun. All rights reserved. AP stories Copyright © 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Click for copyright details.
Comments or questions? Contact us.