77° CLEAR, Spanking Has Hit Bottom In Polk Schools
Polk board's code changes includes end of corporal punishment.
Last Modified: Thursday, July 24, 2008 at 6:35 a.m.
LAKELAND | You may not have known it, but until Tuesday some Polk County elementary school principals were allowed to spank students.
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Now, that's ended.
Corporal punishment, once accepted throughout the district, is out as one of several changes to the district's code of conduct approved by the School Board. Other changes include stronger rules against bullying, allowing students to make up work for unexcused absences, and immediately contacting parents when law enforcement officials wish to interview students.
The new code of conduct was written after a report issued by the Urban Special Education Leadership Collaborative in May 2007 said that the district's discipline code required "significant revision" and "contributed to a punitive learning environment."
School Board members passed the new code of conduct 5-1. Board member Lori Cunningham was absent.
Board member Tim Harris voted against the new code, saying schools should be allowed to administer corporal punishment if parents request it.
"Spare the rod, spoil the child," Harris said, paraphrasing the Bible during a work-session meeting.
It's unclear how many Florida school districts still allow spanking, Polk school officials said.
Corporal punishment was already nearly dead in Polk County.
Only about 14 parents in three elementary schools chose to have their children spanked, said Bruce Tonjes, associate superintendent of school-based operations.
A signed form by parents allowed principals to administer spankings if the child misbehaved.
Eagle Lake's Pinewood Principal Brenda Johnson said she spanked about two students a month.
Johnson used something similar to a pingpong paddle when she spanked students in her office. She delivered one to three swats each time she spanked a child.
"It gets them on the straight and narrow," Johnson said. "Parents have thanked me quite often."
In addition to Pinewood, Janie Howard Wilson Elementary in Lake Wales and Eastside Elementary in Haines City allowed corporal punishment.
Johnson said it was a success.
"I hate to see anything that works thrown out," Johnson said. "If parents ask for it, it should be allowed."
Parents will still be allowed to discipline their own children at schools as long as it is not abusive, said Wes Bridges, School Board attorney.
"How a parent disciplines a child is up to that parent, but I also think that school administrators have control over what goes on in that school," Bridges said.
Board member Kay Fields agreed.
"If a parent is adamant about corporal punishment, they will come to the school," Fields said at the board meeting.
[ John Chambliss can be reached at john.chambliss@theledger.com or 863-802-7588. ]
This story appeared in print on page A1
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Comments
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July 24, 2008 5:42:45 am
RE: http://www.theledger.com/article/20080724/NEWS/807240570
Wow! I thought everyone would jump on this one! I for one think corporal punishment (when administered appropriately) is highly effective for many children. Every person I knew as a child got spanked. The spankings never left a mark, just a stinging red handprint or paddle-print (which was gone within a couple of hours) and a memory that was painful enough to deter them from considering that behavior again. Not one of these people turned out to be criminals or violent, angry adults. Most of them have college degrees, good families, and children with bright futures. How parents choose to punish their children, especially spanking, should be left to them, but I don't believe school is the place for spanking unless the parent comes and does it him/herself. I think this was a good decision.
July 24, 2008 6:05:43 am
Too many "sue happy" parents out there. And parents who think its not the school's job to discipline. Yet when the kids are home, they ignore the problems.I remember the paddle from when I went to school, and that was in the early 80's (really only elementary school does this. Imagine the backlash of spanking a 15 year old). They had the big paddle and the little one. One with holes in it for less wind resistance. Heck, to this day I still cringe at the paddles with the rubber ball attached by a rubber band. That band broke, your parents have a new paddle. lol
July 24, 2008 6:10:36 am
What century is this? I am 38 and was spanked by a teacher once in 2nd grade. For something I didn't do. With a giant wooden paddle with holes in it that was as big as a cricket bat. I enver forgot it, it still troubles me.
Why on earth anyone would think it OK for a non-parent to STRIKE A CHILD is acceptable is beyond me. A swat on the butt for something serious like running in the street or similar may be acceptable if done by a parent. But I think it's ridiculous that a teacher or principal should be allowed to assault a child. I'm glad it was struck down and will certainly remember Mr. Tim Harris come election time...
July 24, 2008 6:16:55 am
LOL
My mom-in-law had one of those plexi-glass paddles. Ouch! One swipe was all that was needed. She had the tough job of raising 2 rough-n-tumble sons on her own and did a fantastic job.
July 24, 2008 6:27:30 am
No doubt. My Mom would buy me that stupid toy and I couldn't figure out why the wry grin until it was too late.
July 24, 2008 6:40:03 am
Paddling isnt used as a first offense punishment. Usually it was if what was done was really bad, or because its a reoccuring issue.
And its not like theyre smacking them across the face of punching them in the stomach. Its just a stinging reminder that "hey...maybe I shouldnt do that".
July 24, 2008 6:52:01 am
When I was a kid, on the rare occasion I got a swat on the butt by my parents. When I was raising my kids, they got an occasional swat on the butt if they got out of line.
But when my kids were in school, it seems like the biggest, toughest teacher/administrator had the job of "dicipline". I was not about to let some 6'4", 290 lb person hit one of my 100 lb teenage sons. My wife or I always signed a "No Spanking" form kept on file in the school office. It seemed to me that system worked pretty well. And my boys always knew that if they got into trouble at school .. there'd be discipline waiting for them when they got home.
July 24, 2008 7:08:56 am
Boulevard Rider and meredeer,, with all due respect, I must disagree.
I was paddled when I was in Jr High School, and it HURT REAL BAD, but I learned not to argue with teachers or be a brat.
If I survived, then you and yours should be able to survive: I am sure I was FAR less than 100 pounds back then; I was small for my age -and rather thin, but I survived, so I don't see your problems with it.
Yes, Tim will be getting MY vote if I have a say in the matter: Spare the rod and spoil the child is not just religious:
Like the 'Thou Shalt Not Kill' mandates, it is ALSO secular -and good mores and values.
July 24, 2008 7:15:32 am
Teachers or anyone else in the school system have NO BUSINESS inflicting corporal punishment on CHILDREN. NEVER. EVER. PERIOD. If a teacher laid a finger on one of my nephews, they'd live to regret it, at least what's left of them after their parents had gone after them. If teachers and principals are unable to discipline students effectively without resorting to corporal punishement, then they should be FIRED, post haste.
Corporal punishment is NOT "good mores and values." The school district made a good decision, and yeah, I'll remember Tim Harris's name come election time, too.
July 24, 2008 7:18:07 am
I was paddled once in 7th grade for forgetting my gym clothes, and look what happened to me.
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