HJHS tops list for discipline problems

By Staff
Clif Knight, Hartselle Enquirer
Hartselle schools combined had 109 incidents involving the serious misbehavior of students during the 2003-04 academic year, according to a school safety and discipline report released to media representatives Dec. 16.
The state's education accountability law mandates that copies of the report be distributed to media, parent organizations and state legislators not later than Dec. 31.
Hartselle Junior High School's 48 incidents topped the list. Hartselle High had 38; F.E. Burleson Elementary had 22; and Crestline Elementary had one. Barkley Bridge Elementary reported no incidents.
Persistent/willful disobedience accounted for 48 of the incidents. Following in number were defiance of authority, 27, truancy/unauthorized absence and fighting, nine each, and profanity or vulgarity and threats/intimidation, eight each. Others incidents reported were: drugs possession, three, harassment, tobacco possession, alcohol possession and other sexual offenses, two each, larceny/theft/robbery/possession of stolen property, knife possession, other weapon possession, drugs sale and drugs use, one each.
Disciplinary measures taken as a result of the incidents included 54 cases of suspension, 41 cases of corporal punishment and 22 cases of enrollment in an alternative school.