Georgia school reinstates corporal punishment with paddling

OK, this is just crazy… A school in Georgia has reinstated paddling as a way to discipline the students. YES. PADDLING.

A charter school in Georgia for students from kindergarten to Grade 9, sent a consent form home to parents detailing the new policy. Roughly 100 forms were sent home and this may be hard to believe, but one-third have actually given consent to paddle their child.

The policy says students will be held to a “three strikes” rule. So if a third offence occurs that merits being sent to the principal’s office, it could result in a paddling. If the parents consent to a paddling, the student “will be taken into an office behind closed doors. The student will place their hands on their knees or piece of furniture and will be struck on the buttocks with a paddle.”

They say no more than three “licks” will be issued and there must be an adult witness present. And if you’re a parent who does not consent, you must agree that your child could face up to five says suspension. Harsh…

Surprisingly, reaction from parents has been mixed. Some say it’s great, some say it terrible.

It seems like a misuse of power to me.

I’m a kid who was spanked, and I’m not necessarily saying spanking is ‘right’ when I say this, but if I were a parent, I don’t think I would want someone else physically disciplining my child, never mind with a paddle. Seems pretty extreme.