Friday, November 17, 2006

SEIZED CELL PHONE STIRS TROUBLE

Kid has cell phone. It rings at school. Teacher confiscates phone. All hell breaks loose. KTEN reports:
Charges of larceny against two Carter County school officials have been sent to the district attorney's office for consideration of prosecution. Parents of a Lone Grove High School student say the superintendent and the high school principal will not release property that belongs to them. ...

The cell phone was confiscated from the student last week after it rang in the middle of class. The teacher thought the ringing of the phone interrupted the classwork, and took the phone to the principal's office. When the student's parents went to the school to get it back, they were told it was school policy to hold the phone for five days. The mother of the student, Yvonne Walker, was upset because she says the phone is used in case of an emergency.

"He's 16, he's got a new job and I worry about him on the road," said Walker. "His father worries about him on the road, he's supposed to contact us." ...

Walker says she was treated with disrespect by the principal and the superintendent. She contacted the Lone Grove police department, who sent an officer to the school. Captain Scott Lang said, "I attempted to get the situation resolved, couldn't reach a resolution to it. I ended up having to do a report on it."

That report was sent to the District Attorney's office for consideration of larceny charges against the school officials. The student's parents say the situation could have been resolved much easier.

"I understand that they need to discipline the kids and he was wrong, and he understands that he was wrong and he should be disciplined at home, and we will do that," said Ms. Walker.

"I want the policy changed for any student, any parent," said Mr. Walker. "They should have the right to come pick up their cell phone. The superintendent says he's just following school policy."
Yeah, he's "just" following school policy. No big. Nice lesson to teach the kid.

2 comments:

admin said...

Cell phones in schools are problematic. Seen many cell phones in the elementary school. Yes, elementary. They are marketing cells for very young children. Nothing is cooler than when your cell goes off in class.

Wonder if this policy was in the handbook?

speeddemon0117 said...

There are some places where it is still inappropiate for people to take cell phones. I do understand the need for safety, but consideration should always be given to others. Some people think that they should be able to use their cell phones anywhere they want. Haven't they ever heard of voice mail?

The Cell Phone Disconnect