Wednesday, Mar. 9, 2005 | ||
Bad Links? | To kill list kid still in class here?By LEE WILLIAMS A Booth Middle School parent is outraged that school officials wont say whether a 13-year-old boy who allegedly wrote a to kill list will be allowed back inside the classroom. This has caused her to wonder whether 30 people including students, teachers and Peachtree City police officers named on the list are safe. I dont want to say they didnt do their job, but I have no way of knowing whether they did or not, said the parent who spoke on the condition of anonymity. Students and parents do not have any right to the information and thats the part that needs to change. On Jan. 24, a teacher found the list in her classroom and notified authorities. School administrators and police studied handwriting samples that led them to the teen who now faces a charge of terroristic threats. When the incident was made public on Feb. 4, the student was not currently attending Booth Middle School, police officials said. But school officials wont specify whether the teen was temporarily suspended or permanently expelled. The parent alleges she was given an answer. It is the response that concerns her. They said he was still enrolled, she said. Why do we have to guess whether the child will come back or not? You should be able to get enough information to reassure your children. C.W. Campbell, a coordinator with safety, discipline and athletics with the Fayette County Board of Education, indicated the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) prohibits him from discussing the teen. I can only talk to the parent about their individual child, Campbell said. I cannot talk to her about anyone elses child or their disciplinary record. I can only talk to them about the child that they are in control of. Campbell verified once the list was found, an administrator, an investigator and the police were notified. An investigation at the school in conjunction with the police was launched, and those on the list were notified, he added. Campbell reiterated that he could not give specifics, but added the school took care of the situation. You have to understand, we are going to ensure the safety of every child at the school system, Campbell said. We are going to ensure that everyone is safe. Students know there are consequences for their actions if they misbehave. Those consequences are spelled out in the Student Code of Conduct. According to the document, a student who threatens or intimidates other students, either written, verbal or implied, but does not make physical contact, could face suspension or a recommendation for a disciplinary tribunal hearing that may result in long-term suspension or expulsion. Our primary goal is to educate, not to punish, Campbell said. However, when the behavior of a student comes in conflict with the rights of others, corrective action may be necessary and thats for the benefit of the individual and the school as a whole. But the parent indicated words without proof are simply not enough. We just have to take their word that they have done their job, she said. We have no way of knowing if they actually did it. |
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