GA: Columbia County Board of Education bans corporal punishment

By Ashley Campbell acampbell@nbcaugusta.com
Story Published: Dec 9, 2008 at 7:17 PM EST
Story Updated: Dec 9, 2008 at 8:28 PM EST
http://www.nbcaugusta.com/news/local/35820349.html

EVANS, Ga. – It’s been in the Columbia County Board of Education's policy book for years, but school leaders say they can't remember the last time corporal punishment or spanking was used as a form of discipline.

Tuesday board members voted to ban corporal punishment in the school system.

"We talked to the principals; we do not have any corporal punishment going on in our schools," said Charles Nagle, Columbia County Superintendent of Schools.

Nagle's not the only one who feels that way.

P.J. Taylor is a mother of a student.

Taylor says no one but her should be spanking her child.

"I think that physical contact is a parent's right, not anybody else," said Taylor.

Evans Middle School Principal Michael Johnson agrees with Taylor.

"It truly is the parent's responsibility to administer this type of punishment to their children. Our job is to love, nurture and educate children,” said Johnson.

Johnson speaks not just as an administrator but as a parent, himself.

"How would I feel about my child being spanked at school? I would not be happy with it. I strongly believe that's my job as a parent."

Columbia County Board of Education members agree.

"I say just throw the policy out like we do some of the other policies and be done with it," said Regina Buccafusco.

When the policy was in place, it allowed for corporal punishment only with written parental authorization.

Parents also had to be notified when it was used.

Students are now disciplined with detention, in school and out of school suspension.

They can also be written up and if there is any type of major disciplinary problem parents are immediately called.