Spanking BANNED in Memphis Schools

WMC TV5
Memphis, Tennessee
11/23/04, 12:01am

Corporal Punishment abolished in Memphis City Schools Monday night, by a
vote of five to four, the Memphis City School Board voted to abolish
corporal punishment in the district.

Commissioner Lora Jobe sponsored the resolution that brings the 35-year
practice to an end. "When we have 70% of kids living in poverty and a
culture of poverty that embraces violence, we can show children a safer
and non-violent way of life." she said.

The vote came after hours of debate. School Board Member Wanda Halbert
supports paddling. "To deny me, to deny my voice, to deny my right, is a
violation of me...and my child." she said.

A key part of Jobe's plan calls for Superintendent Carol Johnson to create
sanctions other than spanking, like in-school suspension or community
service.

"We want students to make choices, good choices, when no adult is standing
over them, threatening them." Supt. Johnson said.

Alternative disciplinary measures are outlined in what Superintendent
Johnson is calling her "Blue Ribbon Behavior Initiative." The new
punishments will start this summer in select schools, and expand to more
schools in the fall.

The five school board members who voted to abolish corporal punishment
include Deni Hirsh, Lora Jobe, Carl Johnson, Sara Lewis and Patrice
Robinson.


-------------------------------------------------------------------------=
-------


Memphis Commercial Appeal 11/23/2004

Schools ban the paddle: Board votes 5-4 for alternative ways to discipline
students

By Jody Callahan Contact November 23, 2004

Beginning next fall, paddling will no longer be allowed in any Memphis
public school.

In a tense marathon meeting Monday night, the school board voted 5-4 to
abolish corporal punishment, replacing it with a package of alternative
disciplinary measures.

"It's just gratifying to know that we have come to a place where we're
going to respect our children and treat them with decency," said a
grinning Lora Jobe, the outgoing board member who waged a seven-year fight
to end corporal punishment. The decision prompted mixed reactions from
parents and teachers who packed the auditorium; based on applause, the
crowd appeared to favor retaining the option to paddle.

Parent Tonya Harris predicted dire consequences.

"The kids are waiting up on this news, and there's going to be fights,
starting (today)," she said.

Board member Michael Hooks, who voted against the proposal, also feared
the potential for disruption.

"I just foresee it causing situations in the long run where students
believe you can no longer be disciplined," he said. "I hope not."

South Side High teacher David Hill, though, praised the decision.

"I think it's a move in the right direction for Memphis City Schools," he
said. "I think it's a vote of confidence in the teachers and
administration."

Supt. Carol Johnson proposed a "Blue Ribbon Behavior Initiative" that
offers alternative methods to enforce discipline, with work on the
proposal beginning almost immediately. Johnson's plan calls for:

Behavior and social skills curriculum implemented in each school.

School problem-solving teams.

Consequences like Saturday school or community service to keep students on
the right path.

"Alternative programming" that could include therapeutic or mental health
support.

Loss of sports participation privileges for unruly students, as well as
other possible sanctions.

Enhancing recognition for those who perform well.

"The real work begins now," said Johnson, who added that she was happy
with the decision. "The vote is step one, the first tentative step to
focusing on an efficient strategy for safe schools and respectful
behavior."

Charles New, president of the Memphis Education Association, the teachers'
union, hopes the new proposals will enforce discipline, but remains wary.

"Our position has been that if you wanted to abolish corporal punishment,
you needed to have plans in place to deal with disruptive students," he
said. "We feel that what was presented tonight was a plan, but it wasn't
in place. We didn't see the money in there."

The meeting had its share of drama, beginning with the vote. With the
tally tied at 4-4, board chairman Patrice Robinson cast the deciding "aye"
vote, shocking Jobe and fellow board member Deni Hirsh, who thought the
proposal was going to be voted down.

Corporal punishment opponent Timothy McKay was removed by security after
he spoke without permission, calling paddling "racist" and "brutal."

Jobe, Hirsh, Robinson, Sara Lewis and Carl Johnson voted for the measure.
Hooks, Hubon 'Dutch' Sandridge, Willie Brooks and Wanda Halbert voted
against it.

On 25 Nov 2004 01:03:42 GMT, Chris wrote:

ALLLLL RIGHTY....and peace for the children. Imagine not having to
live in fear in an academic environment..at least not from the
grownups, and the other children that are reactive to the violence and
become bullies.

I couldn't be more pleased...a moral and thoughtful decision.

Good for you, Memphis schol board.

The academic scores will go up. The bullying will go down. Violence
has been defeated, once again.

Kane, only a little saddened that "punishments" are still seen as
needed. Time will take care of that fallacy.


WMC TV5
Memphis, Tennessee
11/23/04, 12:01am

Corporal Punishment abolished in Memphis City Schools Monday night,
by a
vote of five to four, the Memphis City School Board voted to abolish
corporal punishment in the district.

Commissioner Lora Jobe sponsored the resolution that brings the
35-year
practice to an end. "When we have 70% of kids living in poverty and a
culture of poverty that embraces violence, we can show children a
safer
and non-violent way of life." she said.

The vote came after hours of debate. School Board Member Wanda
Halbert
supports paddling. "To deny me, to deny my voice, to deny my right,
is a
violation of me...and my child." she said.

A key part of Jobe's plan calls for Superintendent Carol Johnson to
create
sanctions other than spanking, like in-school suspension or community
service.

"We want students to make choices, good choices, when no adult is
standing
over them, threatening them." Supt. Johnson said.

Alternative disciplinary measures are outlined in what Superintendent
Johnson is calling her "Blue Ribbon Behavior Initiative." The new
punishments will start this summer in select schools, and expand to
more
schools in the fall.

The five school board members who voted to abolish corporal
punishment
include Deni Hirsh, Lora Jobe, Carl Johnson, Sara Lewis and Patrice
Robinson.


-------------------------------------------------------------------------=
-------


Memphis Commercial Appeal 11/23/2004

Schools ban the paddle: Board votes 5-4 for alternative ways to
discipline
students

By Jody Callahan Contact November 23, 2004

Beginning next fall, paddling will no longer be allowed in any
Memphis
public school.

In a tense marathon meeting Monday night, the school board voted 5-4
to
abolish corporal punishment, replacing it with a package of
alternative
disciplinary measures.

"It's just gratifying to know that we have come to a place where
we're
going to respect our children and treat them with decency," said a
grinning Lora Jobe, the outgoing board member who waged a seven-year
fight
to end corporal punishment. The decision prompted mixed reactions
from
parents and teachers who packed the auditorium; based on applause,
the
crowd appeared to favor retaining the option to paddle.

Parent Tonya Harris predicted dire consequences.

"The kids are waiting up on this news, and there's going to be
fights,
starting (today)," she said.

Board member Michael Hooks, who voted against the proposal, also
feared
the potential for disruption.

"I just foresee it causing situations in the long run where students
believe you can no longer be disciplined," he said. "I hope not."

South Side High teacher David Hill, though, praised the decision.

"I think it's a move in the right direction for Memphis City
Schools," he
said. "I think it's a vote of confidence in the teachers and
administration."

Supt. Carol Johnson proposed a "Blue Ribbon Behavior Initiative" that
offers alternative methods to enforce discipline, with work on the
proposal beginning almost immediately. Johnson's plan calls for:

Behavior and social skills curriculum implemented in each school.

School problem-solving teams.

Consequences like Saturday school or community service to keep
students on
the right path.

"Alternative programming" that could include therapeutic or mental
health
support.

Loss of sports participation privileges for unruly students, as well
as
other possible sanctions.

Enhancing recognition for those who perform well.

"The real work begins now," said Johnson, who added that she was
happy
with the decision. "The vote is step one, the first tentative step to
focusing on an efficient strategy for safe schools and respectful
behavior."

Charles New, president of the Memphis Education Association, the
teachers'
union, hopes the new proposals will enforce discipline, but remains
wary.

"Our position has been that if you wanted to abolish corporal
punishment,
you needed to have plans in place to deal with disruptive students,"
he
said. "We feel that what was presented tonight was a plan, but it
wasn't
in place. We didn't see the money in there."

The meeting had its share of drama, beginning with the vote. With the
tally tied at 4-4, board chairman Patrice Robinson cast the deciding
"aye"
vote, shocking Jobe and fellow board member Deni Hirsh, who thought
the
proposal was going to be voted down.

Corporal punishment opponent Timothy McKay was removed by security
after
he spoke without permission, calling paddling "racist" and "brutal."

Jobe, Hirsh, Robinson, Sara Lewis and Carl Johnson voted for the
measure.
Hooks, Hubon 'Dutch' Sandridge, Willie Brooks and Wanda Halbert voted
against it.

And we'll see how long it lasts. Spanking was a key issue in the school
board elections, and a large majority of those voting for it are lame ducks.
Most parents still state that they support it, and the election results
support candidates who support it.

--
Donna DeVore Metler
Orff Music Specialist/Band/Choir
Mother to Angel Brian Anthony 1/1/2002, 22 weeks, severe PE/HELLP
And Allison Joy, 11/26/04 (35 weeks, PIH, Pre-term labor)