County's discipline rules abandoned common sense, discretion

Editor:

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Re John Thomann's May 13 letter, "School board 'has a pattern of getting it wrong' on discipline":

He is so right that I couldn't have said it better myself. I have a daughter who is a former Columbia County student and a son still attending Columbia County schools.

I understand the concept of "zero tolerence," but what happened to common sense and discretion? Whatever happened to standing up for yourself (defending yourself)? Fighting is fighting; 10 days in-school suspension and alternative school. Let's not forget tobacco products; an empty cigarette pack will get you three days ISS.

I definitely believe that the "No Child Left Behind" program is being well-practiced. They don't need to be left behind - they are getting pushed to the side.

I heard an interesting explanation for why Columbia County did away with their Student Support Team program. When discussing our previous year's involvement with the SST, we were told that they had to do away with the program because "there were just to many people using the program."

It seems like identifying the needs of a "difficult (individual) student" could address some of the problems of zero tolerence, No Child Left Behind and maybe even the growing dropout rate.

Pam Burdick

Martinez