ZERO-TOLERANCE POLICY MINUS SOME OFFENSES

A father and a school board member worked in different ways for years
to change the Knox County school board's zero-tolerance policy.

Likewise, they responded in different manners Wednesday night, when
after a year of debate, the board approved the change.

Board members voted 6-3 to lessen the number of offenses covered by
zero tolerance. Under the revised policy, students who possess a
knife, alcohol or drug paraphernalia no longer will be subject to an
automatic one-year expulsion.

Those offenses were moved to a separate discipline plan that includes
four graduated levels of punishment. The three former zero-tolerance
offenses are now "Level IV" infractions, which are the most serious
level, and may still be punished by expulsion at the principal's discretion.

The change brings the board's policy into line with the state's
zero-tolerance law, which includes only firearms, battery on a school
employee or unlawful drugs.

Dennis Seal has spoken at board meetings since 1996, protesting the
expulsion of his son, Dustin Seal, from Powell High School. His son
committed suicide in 2002, and the Seal family blames the school board
in a pending wrongful-death suit.

Dustin was expelled because a friend put a knife with a 3 1/2-inch
blade in the glove compartment of the car he was driving. Even though
discovery of that knife would no longer be covered under the revised
zero-tolerance policy, Dennis Seal said he still has no closure.

"I realize that my mere presence is an embarrassment to the board
because it reminds you that you were the cause of my son's death, and
in your hearts all of you know this to be true," Seal angrily told the
board members.

After the meeting, Seal said he wouldn't be satisfied until the "zero"
was taken out of the policy completely and until the wrongful death
suit goes to trial.

Dr. Paul Kelley, recognized by board members as a leading influence
behind changing the policy, sat quietly during the meeting. Once a
hard-line supporter of zero tolerance, Kelley began about a year ago
voting against the handful of expulsions, which appeared at the bottom
of nearly every agenda. Every child deserves an education, he
maintained, despite making a mistake.

After the meeting he said he was delighted with the change he'd worked
for for such a long time.

Voting for the change were school board Chairman Sam Anderson, Kelley,
Robert Bratton, D.M. Miller, Diane Dozier and Dr. Dan Murphy. Voting
against the change were Vice Chairman Brian Hornback, Chuck James and
Jim Williams.

Anderson credited Kelley and Seal for persevering, and told Seal he
appreciated him coming repeatedly to speak.

"You were able to bring about change, like plugging away on a rock,"
Anderson said.

Several parents spoke against the change, arguing that schools would
not be as safe for their children. Cedar Bluff mom Gina Oster said she
was appalled the board was considering the change.

"The children and their parents should be expected to rise up to the
policy. Is society going to make provisions for these children later
in life? No," Oster said.

Williams, a retired principal, voted against the change because he
thinks it will lead to more discipline problems and inconsistent
punishments from school to school.

Hornback has steadfastly opposed any weakening of the
policy.

"By making this a Level IV misbehavior, we're in essence condoning
it," Hornback said, adding that Knox County Schools are safe because
the policy went beyond state law.

Moving the three offenses to the discipline plan gives principals
discretion to consider extenuating circumstances, such as whether the
child knew he was committing the offense.

Other Level IV offenses are bomb threats, arson, vandalism, sexual
harassment and assault/battery. School principals may choose
out-of-school suspension and/or expulsion for up to 180 days.

Under another policy the board approved Wednesday night, all suspended
or expelled students will have an opportunity to make up their work,
either at home or in an alternative school. The policy establishes one
evening alternative school classroom at each middle and high school.

Students suspended for 11 days or more will be assigned to alternative
school either at their base school or at the Richard Yoakley
Alternative School.