If the school board felt they HAD to do something, why not just take his rifle and keep it for the rest of the school year?
Columbia County school kids have just been taught a very bad lesson by their school board, to wit:
If you accept responsibility for making a mistake, you're making another mistake. You should cover it up, even lie about it; but whatever you do, don't own up to your mistakes, because there's no upside. You're only going to get slapped down for your honesty.
Wes Ivie, a 16-year-old Evans High School junior, model student and star football player is learning that lesson the hard way. After returning from a weekend hunting trip, he forgot to take his hunting rifle out of his car before driving to school -- an absent-minded mistake anyone could make.
At least that's what his school authorities and law-enforcers believed after he reported his mistake to the head office during a random police search of the school. No law broken; no bad intentions; no harm done. Praise the kid's honesty and move on. The rifle probably wouldn't have been spotted anyway, if Wes had kept his mouth shut.
Despite support from his classmates, school authorities and others, including the Sheriff's Department, that young Ivie had done no wrong and deserved no punishment, the school board punished him anyway. He was put on in-school suspension and then, after turning down his appeal, had him sent to alternative school for the rest of the semester.
The decision also gets him kicked off the football team, could cost him his after-school job if he loses his driver's license, and damages opportunities for his post-high school education. That's Wes' "reward" for being up front. No one could blame him if he keeps his mouth shut next time.
In a cruel bit of irony, it's school board members who are covering up now. Hiding behind legal mumbo-jumbo, they refuse to explain why, in a closed door meeting, they ignored the recommendations of everyone familiar with the rifle incident, and moved so harshly against Ivie. It's board members who should be taken to the woodshed.
The Ivie family plans another appeal, this one to the state board of education in Atlanta. Good for them. Let's hope that board teaches the right lesson.
Comments
If the school board felt they HAD to do something, why not just take his rifle and keep it for the rest of the school year?
I trust the judgment and integrity of the five members of the CCBOE and Charlie Nagle in this matter.
I guess, as far as the AC is concerned, "personal responsibility" and zero tolerance only applies to Democrats.
Buh bye, Mr Nagle. You've done it this time. The voters will not forget.
a precedent to excuse a zero tolerance violation is a slippery slope. sorry to say this, but the correct thing to do in today's climate of fear (which is going to change immediately when obama takes office - yeah, yeah, i've heard) is to err on the side of "don't ask / don't tell." ccboe had a no-win situation here and i personally am glad they didn't take the risk of introducing subjective decision-making. i am very sad for the young man and his family: he apparently did try to do the honest thing, but these days honesty won't always get you a prize.
Doing a little research it looks like this should be a "designated felony act" under Ga law. it seems a law was broken. I didn't know the AC was in favor of selective law enforcement.
A policy of Zero Tolerance is a bad policy because it is overly legalistic and removes the option of wise descretion from those in authority. Drugs, firearms and all weapons, provocative dress and behavior should not be tolerated but inflexible policies are not the way to do it. Good administratiors should not be forced into making bad decisions by poor policies.
Well said Paws. Zero tolerance provides zero thinking. Aspirin and Midol are dangerous drugs and pointing a finger is equated to pulling a gun. However, responsibility for actions taken, even unintended action because of poor planning, should be reinforced in ALL children. The punishment handed down to Ivey is expensive and inconvenient to his parents and embarrassing to him. He and his family will recover and the point is made. If they don't like the decision, they can opt out of the system.
TechLover, the sheriff was on the radio yesterday saying that no charges were filed because no laws were broken. He and school officials felt no danger was posed by Ivey and a felony charge was unwarranted.
Wow, how many times can you revive a dead horse???? Again. Zero tolerance is a really bad policy. It's the rule that is wrong, not the decision by the BOE. The kid sounds like a great kid, but...again zero tolerance. The punishment was less severe than it might have been other wize. The lesson learned should be for kids & parents to be responsible enough to know the rules, abide by them, always be honest and if there are bad rules, fight to change them. This article writer learned & is now teaching the wrong lesson. We are all responsible for our actions. Even when mistaken.
The decision was that he must attend the alternative school for a minimal period of time. As long as he attends school, maintains his grades and returns to Evans without further incident - there would be no reason why he should lose his license, after school job or even post-high school education opportunities. It sounds to me like the big upset here is being made ineligible for post season football participation. Zero tolerance serves a purpose. Subjectively reviewing individual cases can lead to discriminate decision making, favortism and expenses law suits by those who believe they were treated differently based on protected criteria. While this was a hunting rifle, would people feel the same if it had been a 9 mm or other type personal handgun?
Martinez...is this intended to be an intelligent response? Why not go a step further? What if there were 36 guys lying there shot & bleeding? What if he had an A bomb? Zero tolerance = zero thought process by disciplinarians. Bad policy.
I believe flexibility in rules is what caused massive discrimination in the legal system towards minorities. Medgar Evers case for example. I wonder if this kid were black if everyone would be saying the same thing. The lesson is this AC: Even if you admit your mistake you should accept the consequence as well. In other words, there is no Quid Pro Quo for being honest. I salute the kid for his honesty, and feel he should accept the consequence with honor.
PT: Ga law 16-11-127.1
I like the old days when a teacher would have handled it in a common sense way. Now days, the BOE, Sheriff, radio station and the Chronicle get involved. What happened to cause teachers to lose their authority and support from the BOE when they use common sense approaches?
I think something like Columbine happened, Riverman.
The school board proved that they have less courage than this student. He could have kept quiet and nothing would have happened. Instead, he did the right thing. The school board was afraid to use their judgment to discern if the student's actions were truly a danger to self or others. If they cannot see the difference between a self-reporting model student and a thug then they do not deserve to be in a position that calls for judgment over the lives and future of the students under their supervision.
Shivas, you are out to lunch if you compare Columbine to this incident.
All of us are sick and tired of violence in our schools and elsewhere but our solutions are always tainted and extreme. This kid has no business being punished so severly all facts being considered. It goes back to the "Law and Order" folk setting up mandatory minimums where officials and judges cannot use discretion. It is the reason our jails are overflowing and cases like this make headlines. Only when the "Right" demographic are affected.
Like it or not, the law was broken. If they brought in the drug dogs and he confessed he had pot in his car would he get off? I guess telling someone you broke the law gives you an out. Yes sir officer, I know I was driving 110 mph. I admit it. I don't get a ticket. Yay!
Didn't this incident take place on a Friday? That is a long time from the previous weekend to "Forget" a rifle in your truck.
How can the BOE and Dr. Nagle make a different decision without compromising the rules? Do not make rules that can criminalize innocent behaviors. On the one hand the people demand extreme punishment for egregious acts, but they forget the freedom they have eliminated in the process. And that freedom is called "reason."
TechLover, a law can be found for just about every situation and usually a contradictory law is also available. The point made by the sheriff was that no law was broken and no charges were filed.
he was discriminated against.
shivas makes it appear as though the "lowest common denominator" concept of equality is reinforced by the zero tolerance/ zero thought rules. Who knew?
There is no excuse; either for the child, or the the Augusta Chronicle eidtorial board. If the youth is old enough and mature enough to go hunting and to drive a car, he should also be able to store his weapon appropriately and know where NOT to take it.
It is unfortunate, but it is also a valuable lesson for him. The editorial staff is irresponsible in running this article.
PT:Read the above law. You evidently support not following laws you don't like. I don't care what the sherriff said, the law is on the books. If he choses to selectively enforce the law, perhaps ya'll should elect a sheriff who treats everyone equally under the law.
Well TechLover, I think we already have a sheriff. If no charges are filed by those close to the situation and involved, and all sides of this particular situation are represented in the investigation, then I'm going to say that those involved probably know more then is reported in this article and therefore know better how to proceed then I. From their perspective...no law was broken and no charges were filed. Rules were broken and punishment was doled out.
He knew the rule. Why not get in your truck and take the rifle home and get a tardy. It probably would have been excused, under the circumstances. The BOE did the right thing, as they usually do.
If this kid was such a model student, great athlete, and school leader, then he above all others whould never have forgotten to remove the rifle from his vehicle after the hunting trip. ZERO TOLEARANCE AGAINST DRUGS AND WEAPONS IS THE LESSON HERE AND MUST BE UPHELD. If the kid is indeed a leader, then let him finish the school year in alternative school as is the decision of the board, and earn his way back to regular school. Lead by example and he will demonstrate to everyone that one mistake does not destroy your life.
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