2manyloopholes
Junior Member
What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? GA.
Trying to stick to short FACTS on this ongoing situation:
1. Principal of HS is accused of displaying a SWITCHBLADE to a group of 4 students (with the School Resource Officer present). Student reports that the SRO was commenting on student's new tattoo. Student claims that principal opens switchblade in joking manner and pokes student.
2. Student's mother files report with County Sheriff's Department and the Board of Education for that county.
3. All witnesses "had consistent stories" as determined by sheriff's investigation, however, the SRO denies it!! (The SRO has now been relocated to another school)
4. Concerned parents contact Superintendent for information. The only interview yet to take place is with Principal. Principal was out of town for conference for 3 days,( M, T, W) yet does not report to campus on his return (TH, F).
5. When principal returns to school, superintendent reports investigators will interview principal.
6. Principal refuses interview and hires attorney.
Those are the facts.
Contributing information is as follows: There are MULTIPLE negative reports and grievances filed against principal previous to knife incident. Principal has history of intimidation towards faculty, parents, administrators. (all factual)
Mother of student is getting conflicting information as to the legality of possession of weapons on school property. There is a ZERO TOLERANCE clause in our handbook.
According to written LAW, the only person(s) allowed to have any weapon on campus is: School Resource Officers, security, or police officers.
(many descriptions of definitions of weapons in law including ANY blade, knife, revolver, billyclub, brass knuckles, ball bat, razor, etc.) EXCEPTIONS are items used in the instructional part of school such as science (blades/knives for dissecting animals, Ball Bat or hockey stick used in organized games, etc.)
Here's the information being given to mother of student: That a principal can make any determination on the legality of any BLADE which is 2 inches or under in length.
There have been students in nearby schools arrested and expelled for having a fingernail file (the little ones which twist out from a small clipper).
This could potentially drag out for YEARS. In the meantime, the majority of parents want to know if the principal is legally allowed to operate in his professional capacity while investigation is ongoing? Doesn't the magnitude of these charges dictate his leave (paid or not) until the case is settled?
Being found guilty of illegal possession of any weapon on school grounds, buses, sporting events, or any activity on campus is a FELONY punishable with 2-10 years incarceration and/or up to a $10,000.00 fine.
Seems as though a felonious investigation would merit the removal of a principal from his position since his being there could lead to more incidents.
What can we do as a body of parents? Our state superintendent says it's out of her hands. Is our only option to file a report with the Professional Standards Commission??
Thank You Ahead Of Time
Trying to stick to short FACTS on this ongoing situation:
1. Principal of HS is accused of displaying a SWITCHBLADE to a group of 4 students (with the School Resource Officer present). Student reports that the SRO was commenting on student's new tattoo. Student claims that principal opens switchblade in joking manner and pokes student.
2. Student's mother files report with County Sheriff's Department and the Board of Education for that county.
3. All witnesses "had consistent stories" as determined by sheriff's investigation, however, the SRO denies it!! (The SRO has now been relocated to another school)
4. Concerned parents contact Superintendent for information. The only interview yet to take place is with Principal. Principal was out of town for conference for 3 days,( M, T, W) yet does not report to campus on his return (TH, F).
5. When principal returns to school, superintendent reports investigators will interview principal.
6. Principal refuses interview and hires attorney.
Those are the facts.
Contributing information is as follows: There are MULTIPLE negative reports and grievances filed against principal previous to knife incident. Principal has history of intimidation towards faculty, parents, administrators. (all factual)
Mother of student is getting conflicting information as to the legality of possession of weapons on school property. There is a ZERO TOLERANCE clause in our handbook.
According to written LAW, the only person(s) allowed to have any weapon on campus is: School Resource Officers, security, or police officers.
(many descriptions of definitions of weapons in law including ANY blade, knife, revolver, billyclub, brass knuckles, ball bat, razor, etc.) EXCEPTIONS are items used in the instructional part of school such as science (blades/knives for dissecting animals, Ball Bat or hockey stick used in organized games, etc.)
Here's the information being given to mother of student: That a principal can make any determination on the legality of any BLADE which is 2 inches or under in length.
There have been students in nearby schools arrested and expelled for having a fingernail file (the little ones which twist out from a small clipper).
This could potentially drag out for YEARS. In the meantime, the majority of parents want to know if the principal is legally allowed to operate in his professional capacity while investigation is ongoing? Doesn't the magnitude of these charges dictate his leave (paid or not) until the case is settled?
Being found guilty of illegal possession of any weapon on school grounds, buses, sporting events, or any activity on campus is a FELONY punishable with 2-10 years incarceration and/or up to a $10,000.00 fine.
Seems as though a felonious investigation would merit the removal of a principal from his position since his being there could lead to more incidents.
What can we do as a body of parents? Our state superintendent says it's out of her hands. Is our only option to file a report with the Professional Standards Commission??
Thank You Ahead Of Time
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