PUBLISHED 7-2-2007

Zero tolerance policies in our public schools are appropriate when properly implemented.

But school administrators must  use common sense and be given flexibility in dishing out expulsions when policies are violated.

“Zero tolerance” means students will be recommended for expulsion when certain offenses are committed. Such offenses generally involve  weapons and firearms possession, drug use, violence and assault.

For example, when a student brings in a machete or a gun to school, they should be expelled. But some school officials in California and elsewhere are blindly following zero tolerance policies and are punishing students for trivial or minor offenses.

Students have been suspended from school for possessing prescription cough medicine and carrying plastic butter knives to cut cookies. One student was punished when she turned in a butter knife her mother had accidentally left in her lunch box.

While zero tolerance policies should be strictly enforced, common sense must be used. The goal should be to lower levels of crime and offenses in schools.

When zero tolerance policies call for harsh punishments for minor offenses, school administrators often are prevented from using their own judgment to appropriately respond.

Kern High School District officials, however, say they will likely be more lenient with first-time offenders accused of minor violations. For example, if a student with a clean record is drawn into a fight, the student will likely only be suspended and not expelled.
Schools should be allowed and encouraged to exercise this type of  judgment when offenses are minor.