As many of your readers are undoubtedly aware, there was a food fight at K-M high school on June 3, 2011, the last day of school. From a lunch room of dozens of participating students, 21 were identified, by staff and video surveillance, and singled out for punishment. Seven of these 21 students were issued citations by Officer Peck, in collaboration with Principal Reker and Superintendent Grant, for misdemeanor disorderly conduct and will be referred to the criminal justice system for those charges. A misdemeanor conviction requires disclosure on job applications, college applications, student loan forms and military service. Examples of other misdemeanor crimes are: DWI, driving on a suspended license, assault, and minor drug possession. The remaining 14 students received letters from Officer Peck indicating the need to complete four hours of community service with the K-M school maintenance staff before August 1st in order to avoid disorderly conduct citation and court referral.
Student athletes were subsequently called for a meeting with Activities Director Wilke, under the direction of Principal Reker and Superintendent Grant, to sign a Notice of Violation of MSHSL extra-curricular bylaw(s). Consequences for the violence range from missing two-nine athletic events and at least two weeks of school activities. This penalty is equivalent to or exceeding recommended sanctions issued for "mood altering chemical violations.''
There were no school wide warnings made to the student body regarding the consequences of the food fight which has been a recurring event at K-M High School for years. Likewise, no announcements were made to parents using the automated system about the event or its possible consequences. It is evident that the administration and staff were aware of the plans because there was a notably increased staff presence for that lunch period. Parent requests to view the surveillance video have been denied. Staff statements were taken by Officer Peck; student statements were not collected. A report is on file at the Kasson Police Department.
There were no injuries or destruction of property resulting from the food fight. Although one staff member, an excellent and well-liked teacher, was hit with food, this was undoubtedly the result of mere proximity to the activity rather than malicious intent. Staff who remained on the periphery of the lunch room avoided a similar experience.
The school board meeting scheduled for July 18, 2011 at 7:00pm at the middle school is an opportunity for parents and students to gain information and express their concerns. Superintendent Matuska is planning to be in attendance.
As a parent of two high school students, this letter is submitted for publication with significant reservations about future prejudice.
Respectfully,
Polly Lewis
GOod for you Polly to make the Kasson Mantorville community aware of the injustice that is happening in our schools. The administrators are only making examples of these students because they themselves didn't do their jobs when they all became aware of what was going to happen. They should be ashamed of themselves and their bruised egos. Seriously... Law enforment and MSHL violations, WOW! Do your job from start to end and this would have never happened. Guaranteed that if they would have known this, they would not have done it! That was Principal Rekers job to tell them or warn them. As far as the teacher that feels she was targeted, give me a break. She should know better that she was never going to stop something that had started. Even Principal Reker knew enough to leave the lunch room than stay. GIVE ME A BREAK!
ReplyDeleteThere comes a point in time when everyone knows the difference between what is right and wrong. These are young adults that should already have a strong grasp on that difference. Now I understand Polly's point about not being able to view the video and about the charges that some of the students are facing. But, that are what courts are for. Simply fight the charges force that schools to provide the witnesses and videotape. Everyone is allowed their day in court. But, in no way try to take away or diminish that what those kids did was disruptive.
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