BY CARLI TEPROFF // CTEPROFF@MIAMIHERALD.COM
The punishment for bringing a toy gun to school should be determined on a case-by-case basis, several Broward School Board members said at a workshop Tuesday.
Prompted by the case of a 7-year-old who was expelled for a year for bringing a clear plastic gun to Pembroke Pines Charter School in November 2009, the board reviewed its policy. No date has been set for a vote by the board on any changes.
“I don’t believe in one size fits all,” board member Robin Bartleman said. “Every case is unique. Every child is unique. By saying flat out you don’t get a chance, you’re throwing that kid away.”
Broward’s policy — modeled after the state’s Zero Tolerance policy for weapons — mandates a year expulsion for bringing any gun that shoots out a projectile, including air soft guns or BB guns. There’s more flexibility on punishment involving toy guns that are not capable of shooting, as well as razors and knives.
But several members, including Patti Good, say there needs to be even more flexibility. Currently, a child who brings a Nerf gun — which shoot soft foam balls — would get the same punishment as a child who brings a real firearm.
“A child can bring a knife to school and the consequences are very different,” said Good, referring to bringing a toy gun.
REAL AND PLASTIC GUNS
During the meeting, the district’s Special Investigative Unit brought a variety of real and plastic guns to show members that in the eyes of a law enforcement officer it’s not easy to tell a toy from a weapon.
“Seeing orange on the end doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a toy,” said Maj. Robert Dinkel, who noted that a police officer has a nanosecond to make a decision on whether to shoot if he feels threatened.
And though some of the toy guns on display could be mistaken for real ones, Bartleman said her concern was the guns that are clearly toys.
Last year, Samuel Burgos, who was 7 at the time, left a clear plastic gun in his backpack after playing a game of army with his friends. When he realized it was in there, it was too late — a classmate saw it and told a teacher.
He was called into the principal’s office at Pembroke Pines Charter and expelled. For nearly a year, his parents taught him at home and fought the punishment. In October, the board decided to reverse the punishment.
Bartleman said she didn’t want another child to go through the same thing, but she also understands that safety comes first. “We are not talking about allowing weapons here,” she said. “We are talking about the penalty. I don’t want the public to have the impression we are making schools less safe.”
111 KIDS PUNISHED
Last year, 111 Broward children were punished under the zero tolerance policy.
Board members are struggling to come up with a viable policy at a time when they are dealing with escalating violence in schools.
Two years ago, Teah Wimberly fatally shot 15-year-old classmate Amanda Collette at Dillard High School in Fort Lauderdale. Wimberly was sentenced to 25 years in prison.
Then, last year, 15-year Wayne Treacy allegedly kicked Josie Lou Ratley, 15, in the head with steel-toe boots. Treacy has been charged with first-degree attempted murder.
Superintendent Jim Notter said it was worth revisiting the policy to see if there is a way to offer more flexibility with the punishment but keeping safety a priority.
“We are not changing what kids and can and can’t bring to school,” he said.
Some ideas considered was to allow a work-back program — which is now allowed for certain offenses, including possession of marijuana. It allows a student to reduce expulsion time by following a program set up by the school system.
But most members felt that flexibility with punishment would be the best tool.
“I really ask for common sense,” School Board member Nora Rupert said.
Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/12/15/1973913/broward-school-officials-review.html#ixzz18bXQKlCh
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