Paddling allowed in Tenn., schools say as last resort
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JACKSON, Tenn. — A principal’s job is on the line after parents complained he didn’t take the right measures in disciplining their children. “It should be allowed, but I still believe that the parents have something to do with it,” Wayne Weatherford said. While few details are known about this specific incident, eyes are drawn to the school board’s policy on paddling. “This is something that the principal may choose after all other efforts for discipline have been exhausted,” said Ginger Carver with the Jackson-Madison County School System. “So this is a last resort, a last option, and not a typical thing we do in our schools.” According to Tennessee Code Annotated 49-6-4103, this type of discipline is allowed by state law: “Any teacher or school principal may use a corporal punishment in a reasonable manner against any pupil for good cause in order to maintain discipline and order within the public schools.” The law became effective in 1979, but the Tennessee State Board of Education said it’s up to the school district to decide if they want to incorporate corporal punishment into their school system. “Parents may put in the child’s file each year,” Carver said. “This has to be reviewed each year, but they can sign a statement saying they do not want their child to be paddled.” Child abuse experts said there are other forms of discipline that prove to be just as effective. “We recognize there’s a variety of different methods out there to alter a child’s behavior without the use of force,” said Thomas Mitchell, director of clinical services for the Carl Perkins Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse. Mitchell said there’s a lot of responsibility that comes with spanking. “I would be cautious in allowing another person I know in that role to have that much authority and control over the child,” Mitchell said. That’s why school officials said their policy allows parents to make that decision. The Jackson-Madison County School Board votes each year in April to renew their policies.
