PADDLING EARNS EXPULSIONS

Not Fair, Says Pair Kicked Out Of School Until February

FALL RIVER - The two Grade 12 Lockview High students who were
expelled for paddling say the punishment doesn't fit the crime.

[Name redacted] , 17, was booted from school until February for
paddling two students earlier this month.

"It shouldn't have happened," said the Beaver Bank teen about the
hazing. "But it was done to us all in past years, so we never thought
anything of it. When the Grade 9s (who are about to be paddled) are
sitting there telling you, 'Go ahead, whatever,' you don't really
think it's that bad."

Paddling is known as an annual ritual at the Fall River high school,
but it began in the community well before the school was built seven years ago.

[Name redacted] is devastated about being expelled.

The 18-year-old said he paddled students last year and was present
during the recent incidents. But he insists he didn't take part
because he had no paddle.

The Enfield teen said he thought his efforts to deny the allegation
would fall on deaf ears and he didn't want to fight with teachers.

He's contemplating writing a letter of appeal, but may just drop out.

"It's just a mess. I wanted to get out of school and get through
life. I wanted to get an education, get a nice job and have an
apartment sometime and get out of Grade 12."

Football player [Name redacted] , who said his marks are in the 70s
and 80s, said he feels like he's the scapegoat.

"I don't think it's fair that I get kicked out of school. And
somebody that gets caught with drugs gets to stay?" said [Name redacted] .

"They're picking favourites."

Last week, a student was suspended for five days for possessing
drugs. He was also at the centre of a now-closed RCMP investigation
into a potential bomb threat at the school. The student is scheduled
to return to school Monday, but principals can recommend to their
school discipline committee to extend a suspension past five days.

School principal Ward Duncan wouldn't comment.

Halifax Regional School Board spokeswoman Shaune MacKinlay said
discipline is not only a school board-based matter, but a private
matter between the school, the student and the school's discipline committee.

The school board's conduct policy outlines ways to respond to various
types of inappropriate behaviour, including suspension for physical
assault and possession of a controlled substance.

If a principal decides to recommend more than a five-day suspension,
parents and/or guardians may submit information to the discipline committee.

[Name redacted] says he doesn't have support at home. "I don't have
a parent I can go up to and say, 'Can you help me with this?'"

Suspensions can also be appealed to the school board. Expelled
students can continue studies through correspondence or homework
packages, said MacKinlay.

Clarence Dean, in whose home [Name redacted] lives, said the
expulsion is too long.

"He's no angel, by any means, but he's a good kid," said the Beaver
Bank father. "I just don't think it's fair that he was suspended
until February and this kid who was caught with drugs - regardless if
there was no death threat - he's only suspended for five days. That's
just not right."