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Zero Tolerance Case Analysis and Rationale
Zero Tolerance Case Analysis and Rationale
Zero Tolerance Case Analysis and Rationale
EAD-505
This case involves a school whose zero tolerance policy for weapons in the school is be-
ing questioned. Becky, a student, gave a report in her class, and as part of her report, she brought
an old handgun to school. After class was over, the teacher gave the gun back to Becky to take
home.
South Carolina Code of Laws 59-63-235 states that students found to have brought
firearms to school is to be expelled for no less than one full year. I imagine that there are similar
laws in other states, therefore, this would need to be followed, regardless of the intent on bring-
After reading case number 14 and considering the school district policy in place for zero
tolerance in the area of weapons, I would take appropriate action towards consequences for
Becky. Though it’s possible her parents were not aware of the zero tolerance policy, ignorance
does not equal an excuse. The school district has in place a policy that does not tolerate weapons
in schools, regardless of the reason or if they are useable or not. This handgun qualifies under
this policy.
As the school principal, I would have been upset that Ms. Boxer approved something in
my absence, unless permission was given to her by me. In addition, the fact that the “approved”
policy was passed out to students before I had the chance to view it is also very upsetting. I feel
as though this would be different if Ms. Boxer and I had a phone conversation regarding this, as I
conference regarding the situation. I would inform the parents of the school district zero toler-
ance policy and explain that in this case, due to the state law in place, the student would be ex-
pelled for one year for bringing the firearm to school. It’s possible that, due to the nature of this
case, there may be some backlash from the parents of this student, in which case I would have to
Morally, I feel that following the school policy is the right thing to do. However, I do un-
derstand the other side, that being the side that may not have known the policy to begin with.
One year of expulsion is quite a bit for this case, however, rules need to be followed, and if this
is not followed through, we run the risk of it happening again with another student.