Separate incidents at two schools in Westchester County, New York, question the appropriateness of school discipline as parents and educators debate whose responsibility it is to discipline students. An Ardsley school board member and parent of a 14-year-old special education student resigned her post after other parents complained that school officials were too tolerant of her son’s repeated bullying and threats of a massacre and bombing, according to The New York Times.
The middle school boy received one-day suspensions on four different occasions, a lax consequence that parents of other middle schoolers said were given because of the mother’s board position. Maryanne Reda, parent and volunteer cafeteria monitor, witnessed the boy call another aid a “Nazi,” and says that he received special treatment. “The child’s behavior was quite disruptive, but it appeared there were no consequences,” she said.
Another parent is defending her son David Turano for exposing his backside at a June graduation ceremony from Briarcliff High School in Briarcliff Manor, New York, because she claims the school treated her son unfairly over the years. The school responded to Turano’s exposure by revoking his diploma but later returned it. Although Turano pleaded not guilty, his hearing is scheduled for July 24.