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Discipline Concerns Schools

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By RONNIE BLAIR rblair@tampatrib.com

The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 8, 2009

LAND O' LAKES - The list of transgressions is long and, to school board members, unsettling.

A 16-year-old Land O' Lakes High student broke another student's nose.

A 14-year-old boy at Long Middle School followed another student to the bus and punched him, breaking his glasses and his jaw.

A 16-year-old Gulf High student cursed an administrator and the school resource officer after she was discovered in an unauthorized area. She already had 29 discipline referrals this year.

A 14-year-old student at Ridgewood High gave muscle-relaxing pills to other students, leading to the hospitalization of one teenager.

These cases and seven others came before the Pasco County School Board on Tuesday, but to some board members' chagrin they required no action other than the tabling of the expulsion recommendations against the students.

Two of the students withdrew from school, but the rest either returned to school after serving suspensions or were placed by the district staff at one of Pasco's two alternative schools for problem teens.

Some board members say the district may be treating violators too leniently.

"Some of these people should not be on our campuses anywhere," said board member Allen Altman, who previously has raised concerns about student discipline, especially in cases where students assault school employees.

"I'm alarmed about the severity of some of the things happening," board member Kathryn Starkey said.

The situation shows the limits of the authority of school officials, who must balance punishment against laws designed to protect the rights of students, especially those with disabilities.

Some expulsion cases also come with extenuating circumstances that must be reviewed, district officials said.

"We can't just throw everyone out on the streets," Superintendent Heather Fiorentino said.

Fiorentino said her staff deals with discipline "in the best appropriate manner we can."

The board routinely sees a summary of expulsion cases that involve serious, sometimes violent offenses, although board Chairman Frank Parker said that, unfortunately, what happens at schools is "a reflection of what's going on in the community."

Parker also noted that some of the students on last week's list were arrested, so they didn't necessarily get off lightly, even if they are back in a classroom somewhere.

Board member Joanne Hurley, also troubled by some of the cases that have come before the board, said she discussed the situation with Lizette Alexander, the district's director of student services and discipline.

Alexander walked her through what needs to be done when dealing with an expulsion, Hurley said.

Altman said he also has "learned a lot" from talking with Alexander.

Regardless, though, board members said they also have an obligation to protect employees and other students.

Altman said the board should have a workshop on expulsions.

Reporter Ronnie Blair can be reached at (813) 948-4218.

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