MOUNT VERNON — Zero tolerance in schools means administrators and staff will not permit any sort of violence or threat of violence to go unpunished; zero tolerance can also refer to drug and alcohol use and bullying behavior in schools. While school safety is a prime concern, some school officials believe it is equally important to be mindful of the circumstances surrounding an incident and to pay attention to the needs of the “offender.” Several have shared their views with the News.
•“I have concerns from a mental health standpoint regarding students who act out in order to gain attention. Zero tolerance gives them the wrong attention in some cases and reinforces a negative view of the child, resulting in a larger pattern of negative behaviors.” — Derek Fisher, guidance counselor, The Alternative Center.
•“While Centerburg does have a zero tolerance policy of violent, disruptive or inappropriate behavior, we do not have a zero ‘common sense’ policy. There are certain violations of the conduct code in which the penalty is spelled out in state law. For those violations that are not covered by state law, we examine the circumstances of each individual case and impose the appropriate consequence. Consequences could be a detention, a Saturday school, in- or out-of-school suspension or expulsion. It depends upon all of the circumstances and those circumstances aren't always cut and dried or black and white. One also has to take into account the age of the student. Zero tolerance means that all infractions will be dealt with in an appropriate and timely manner.” — John Morgan, principal, Centerburg High School.
•“Danville works to be proactive in not suspending students [out of school]. We work to keep them in school and learning.” — Randy Endsley, guidance counselor, Danville Local Schools.
•“Our role as principals is to ensure the safety and well-being of all students in our school. It is also our responsibility to enforce policies set by our board of education as written in our handbook. Our response to a dangerous situation is a maximum 10-day out-of-school suspension with a possible recommendation to expel. Further action could be taken by the superintendent and/or board of education.” — Gary Chapman, principal, Fredericktown High School and Emily Funston, principal, Fredericktown Middle School.
•“Students need to feel safe in school and receive knowledge that will benefit them in their future with their goals and with being productive citizens. [Zero tolerance] can be considered inflexible and lacking in common sense. However, students need to learn that there will be consequences for their actions and administrators do their best to be firm, consistent and fair.” — Karen Smith, school counselor, East Knox Junior/Senior High School.
•“We deal with each conflict as an individual case and our goal is always to do what is best for our students.” — Katie Staiger, guidance counselor, Highland High School.
•“We do have a zero tolerance policy when it comes to issues such as alcohol, drugs and weapons, and each case is handled individually. The type of offense and circumstances of involvement usually determine what the consequences may be. I think as professionals, our administration acts thoroughly and very reasonably in dealing with the multitude of issues they encounter. When decisions are made, we are very sensitive to the individuals and families involved, and are also sensitive and concerned about the student body as a whole. One of the things we are really good at is spending a lot of time stressing safety issues with all of our students. It is made very clear — and continually reinforced — what the expectations and consequences are when it come to the no tolerance issues.” — Dan Donegan, guidance counselor, Knox County Career Center.