Zero Tolerance Case Study: Expert Perspectives

Persepctive from Mr. Richard Burnett, School Board Member, Mecklenburg County, Virginia

I will begin my comments by stating that while the principal may not agree with the way the case was handled by the school board and superintendent, he must remember who has ultimate responsibility and authority. As far as whether to stay or leave, he must make that decision with the realization that this is a dead issue.

The fault for the problems is shared by most of the people involved. The principal appears to be closed-minded and unable to deal with the current world. The superintendent thinks that the school's reputation for "Goodness" is more important than dealing with a problem. They both think image is more important than dealing with a problem. They both think image is more important that trying to salvage a student. The notion that this child will benefit from home schooling is ludicrous. None of the people involved, including the principal, superintendent, or parent have demonstrated any desire to assist the student with any problem she may have.

The idea that the school board could not meet for two weeks because of a conference is unreal in our environment but that is another subject. Quite obviously the school board merely approved the recommendation of the superintendent. Alternative education programs evidently have different meaning to different people but one would think that this a situation that alternative school would be appropriate.

The case study is interesting in that it includes many factors that face local school systems everywhere and forces, through actions, the prioritization of the factors. These factors include the following:

Dealing with the laws of the state
Chain of command relationships and communications between them
Problem students and problem parents
Maintaining reputations
Drugs in school
Alternative school and their purpose

In this particular instance, the maintenance of reputation received the highest priority from the school’s perspective; keeping the students record clean received the highest priority from the parent’s perspective.

One should not criticize without offering a solution. I feel that the proper solution would be to enter the child in the alternative school. When the test came back from the state forensic lab, if positive, I would notify the proper authorities.

As I indicated in the beginning, regardless of who made errors the principal must live with the situation or leave. Decisions in the case were made at the proper level.