What would you guys do if you heard this!

[jakemccoy]

I'm confused by people recommending immediately going to the media. Do the other options first (police, school board, law suit). As I explained above in more detail, the anti-gun media is not going to highlight the plight of the girlfriend. Unfortunately, I'm expecting the OP to come back to complain about how the media twisted the story.

 

[Rachen]

Hey Rachen, read a little closer, my GF isn't a liberal, everybody else except one teacher there at her school is. She is like me, and even owns four guns of her own. OH yeah, and BTW she is a southern girl, we live in "near" a town of 254 people up in the mountains....on a ranch.

Whoops, sorry! My fault, I was in such a rush this morning. I only had the time to read the first few sentences before I threw in my hasty reply. I just finished one class and had to catch the uptown train. 5 minute ride to next class. And only 15 minutes in between to browse THR and/or get some hot tea.

Sorry once again.

BUT, I have to say this again. I only date libertarian or conservative girls because they are more family oriented.

 

[soccergod04]

A kid I went to high school with had a hit list and no gun and got suspended for 365 days, no questions asked. He's actually a pretty decent kid (believe it or not) and I doubt would have done anything. However, I think that this was the correct reaction to the situation and the principal in your situation should be fired, along with the rest of the school board if they don't do anything more aggressive.

Oh, and your GF and the two kids should probably be up for some sort of award.

 

[another okie]

Here's some context: Federal law requires schools which receive federal funding to suspend students for a year if they bring a gun to school. However, the law also says it should interpreted consistently with the Americans with Disabilities Acts, which is usually interpreted to mean that the suspension rule does not apply to students with disabilities. Thus the principal is probably following state law (which can vary this policy slightly, but not much.)

As painful as it may be, your girlfriend probably should either shut up or find another job.

Calling the media may well result in some sort of disciplinary action against her for violating the student's privacy and perhaps also a lawsuit under the ADA against her personally on the same grounds. No school district wants to hire someone who points out problems in the special education area, because many school districts have violent and unteachable children in those classes.

And the media will probably not react as we expect, since the child has a disability. They may view your girlfriend as the bad person for bringing up the child's problems, and the child as the victim.

 

[Henry Bowman]

So a menatally deficient student who has the mental capacity to make a hit list and obtain an effective tool for making the hits and bring the tool and list to the place where the people on the list are located... is not a genuine danger because... they're mentally deficient???? But an honor student in advanced placement classes would be???

Again, this is not about whether mandatory suspension or other zero-discretion rules make sense. This is a clear and present danger. If the principal has taken appropriate steps to ensure the safety of the students and staff at the school, those in the know deserve an explanation that provides at least some level of confidence. This is not about "feeling" safe, this is about being safe.

 

[jakemccoy]

I think some people here are coming from a idealistic view that needs to be tempered with reality. My mom has been teaching special ed for over 35 years, and I've volunteered on several occasions. Another_Okie had some good points. It would be wise to read it through without getting overly defensive.

Another point about the media is that they will NOT be taking the girlfriend's word at face value and going will-nilly with a grand story. No offense, but I don't take the girlfriend's word at face value either, and I shouldn't.

Guess what, the media will be consulting the spokesperson for the school. In California at least, that spokesperson is the principal...just something to ponder.

Should something be done? Yes definitely, read my other posts regarding the sequence.

 

[cpttango30]

this is what I would do.
1. Call police.
2. Call newspapers and tv and radio
3. Call school board
4. Call the school District and demand they look into it.
5. Call the head of the PTO
6. Encourage gf to start packin.
7. Get as many names of parents that have children in that school and start calling them too and telling them what happend. Then tell each parent to pass the information along to friends with children in that school.

If a bunch of mothers start calling and raising cane about this you better believe it will get taken care of quick fast and in a big hurry.

 

[another okie]

Rereading my post I want to apologize. My phrase "shut up or find another job" was harshly phrased. However, my substantive advice remains the same.

 

[Lupinus]

ahem

I don't think the cops would take to likely to this. Call them. Sooner is better then later. Have your gf give the full story.

Things like this are serious, very serious. I also doubt they will stand for any more bone head things from the principle.

I'm all for letting a kid hang his deer rifle in the truck and all. But when you have a kid with not just a gun but a hit list.