Tuesday, November 02, 1999
Madeira's zero-tolerance school policy debated
Some parents say district overreacted
BY CHRISTINE WOLFF
The Cincinnati Enquirer
MADEIRA — Amid continued threats of school violence around the nation, some Madeira parents worry that today's atmosphere of zero-tolerance is too harsh.
In Madeira, a protest against a policy that prohibits suspended students from receiving credit for make-up work has boiled into a backlash over a zero-tolerance policy in the Madeira City School District.
A fake bomb threat — a parody that was part of a school-election flier posted in a school restroom — led to the 10-day suspension Sept. 17 of two students and sparked the parents' protest.
“I think it's very strongly an overreaction,” said Dr. Alan Heitner, a Madeira physician whose son Dana has lost his chance to be valedictorian because of a suspension for writing the flier.
Monday night, Dr. Heitner and other parents took their protest to the Madeira school board, where supporters and opponents of zero tolerance expressed their views.
Opponents are upset over the no-credit suspension policy and zero-tolerance policy. Zero-tolerance, adopted by Madeira and many other districts following school violence nationwide, punishes students who hint at or joke about violence or disrupting school.
Pat Gentile, school board president, said a subcommittee is reviewing the suspension policy and will report to the board when finished.
His son's punishment is excessive and doesn't fit the crime, Dr. Heitner told the board. Dana, a senior, was the top academic student in his class and aiming to become valedictorian when he was suspended, his father said.
“To take away academic grades for something that could be called "social misbehavior' is not right,” he said. “I don't think the (policy) as it is set up is going to prevent violence. I think that it will limit freedom of speech.”
He suggested the board be creative with punishments, such as assigning community service, rather than sending a student home to do nothing.
Joanne Krietemeyer, a Madeira parent, told the board she supported the no-credit suspension policy. Without it, “what are the consequences of being suspended?” she asked.
“As for the zero-tolerance policy — all the kids have been told about it,” Ms. Krietemeyer said. “In Cleveland (where threats of violence closed a school Friday), it was words only. But words carry a lot and mean a lot.”
Students must learn to respect school laws, said Mark Holland, a Madeira parent supporting the policy.
The zero-tolerance policy is wrong, said Richard Harwood, of Madeira.
“It smacks to me that this is a policy meant to protect you, the school board, not a policy in the best interest of students,” Mr. Harwood said.
Madeira's policy states sus pended students will receive zeros for missed days, and while students are encouraged to do assignments on suspension to keep up, they receive no credit for it, said Superintendent Michele Hummel.
Board members are looking at suspension policies from about 15 school districts for comparison, Dr. Hummel said.
The board said that locally, Indian Hill and Deer Park allow students to receive credit for make-up work. Sycamore, Wyoming and Loveland do not allow credit for work covered while a student is suspended.
Mariemont and Finneytown allow students to earn partial credit for the make-up work.
Day of reckoning for candidates
Thin ballot likely to draw few voters
Rivals: Gov. cut corners
Astronaut, senator, storyteller
Doctor was more than colleague
EgyptAir Flight 990 Passenger list
Bicycle decks mark milestones
Flynt store moves to Race St.
Franklin admits to slaying
Is note a hoax or call for aid?
Man indicted in September attack
Provisional school board named
Report tracks school behavior
Straight-arrow attitude cost him, Glenn says in new book
Voting kids practice for adult habit
The daring tales of Mary O'Driscoll
Apartment battle escalates
Board won't give job to Broadnax
Cost of hearing loss
Fund set up for officer's family
Kentucky gets jurisdiction in adoption case
Local Red Cross sends workers
Madeira's zero-tolerance school policy debated
Officer recounts shooting
Peace Museum under construction
Project gets more expensive
Riverfront plan called good idea
Appeals court upholds conviction of video clerk
Butler officials air dispute
Woman dead after fiery two-car crash
Enter our Dress A Turkey contest
GET TO IT
TRISTATE DIGEST
