BY BERNIE MIXON
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Paddling is not a done deal in North College Hill schools, officials say.
"We are going to be guided by the wishes of the community," Assistant Superintendent Kay Faris said as the district prepares for three more public hearings on the issue of returning corporal punishment.
A task force studying the issue isn't expected to vote on a recommendation until November.
From parent calls to the district, "It appears that they feel it is a foregone conclusion, that they think we are going to institute this," Ms. Faris said.
She said the callers mostly ask for information rather than take a position. They have questions about how the paddling system will work, some assuming the physical form of discipline will return. The debate continues later this month when the second of three public hearings is held to take public comment.
In the first hearing North College Hill parents overwhelmingly voiced disapproval of returning corporal punishment to schools, but conceded discipline needed to be addressed.
Under legislation that took effect Sept. 1, 1994, corporal punishment was abolished in all Ohio public school districts unless a district followed a task force's recommendation for its use. In the 1995-1996 school year, 48 Ohio districts used corporal punishment, according to the Ohio Department of Education.
During that time, seven districts locally -- Georgetown, Fayetteville-Perry, Western Brown, Talawanda, Blanchester, East Clinton and Franklin -- used it.
In 1993, North College Hill banned corporal punishment. Under state law, districts that banned it can reinstate it as of Sept. 1 this year.
When the Enquirer asked for comments by phone and fax on paddling in schools, Margaret Roesch, of Reading, said she is in favor of it because she believes schools have gone downhill since it was taken out.
"Teachers have little control over students who are a constant disruption," Mrs. Roesch. "I agree that many of these disruptive students have problems that need to be addressed. It's an unhealthy learning environment today. The students are in control and they know it."
Ruth Jameson, of Northside, a retired teacher, was one of those who disagreed with corporal punishment.
"Corporal punishment is a horrific way of dealing with children's inappropriate behavior," Ms. Jameson said. "It's no way to alter children's behavior (and) probably makes them worse. I'm dead-set against it."
Depriving kids of a good paddle now and then -- at home and school -- has paved the way for a litany of juvenile misdeeds, said Tracy Gladwell, of North College Hill.
"When a child knows there is going to be no punishment for their misdoings, they will keep doing more and more until the government declares them unruly and then blames the parents," she said.
But the issue is far from settled in North College Hill, school officials said. "This is not something that is a done deal," Ms. Faris said.
