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There have been many comments relating to the disciplinary action taken against students at Oxford HS, AL, for dress code violations whilst attending the prom. Most responses on the internet unfairly criticize the school administration and the policies. However, little has been said in relation to support for the school. The school wanted to maintain a formal Prom dress code and they should be commended for trying to maintain standards, which often become relaxed in many schools.
The following facts make a valid point in support of the schools actions.
1 “Oxford High School sent notices home during Christmas break and again in January outlining what clothing would be acceptable for the prom. This was done to eliminate confusion or to clear questionable clothing. Parents had enough time to ask questions before they purchased prom attire. We’re using the same policy we’ve had for the last five years. Being a parent, I want to make sure students act accordingly. We’re a high school, and our community has certain expectations of what is appropriate, said principal Trey Holladay”.
2 Students were not sent home but allowed to take part in the Prom. This was a good undertaking by the school not to ruin one of the most rememberable events in the students’ senior year.
3 Of the 352 students who attended the prom, 25 students broke the dress code rules and 17 girls requested corporal punishment instead of taking 3 days suspension. Erica DeRamus requested 3 days suspension and the school respected her wishes. The other 7 students received violations and were not paddled or suspended.
The Student handbook rules clearly specifies the dress code rules and the disciplinary process
1st Violation – Warning
2nd Violation and 3rd Violation – T.E. (1-3 Days)
4th Violation and subsequent violations – O.S.S. (1Day + 1/each offense)
*Corporal punishment may be substituted for O.S.S if appropriate.
A dress code violation did not automatically mean that the student was given a choice of a suspension or corporal punishment. A short skirt or exposed midriff or low cut neckline would each count as one violation. The school rules specify that the student is required to have 4 separate violations before they are given a choice of a paddling or suspension. All the girls involved, had previously received violations for other offenses before attending the prom. The extra dress code violations pushed them over the limit and the school was required to take action, in order to maintain discipline. In the case of Erica DeRamus she received 2 dress code violations at the prom and taking into consideration previous violations, under the rules, she should have received 5 days suspension. The girls who were paddled should have received 5 or more swats. The school showed lenience and gave 3 swats or 3 days suspension to all students.
4 Girls of 17 and 18, try to test the system to see what they can get away with, and often do. Whereas boys maybe disciplined under similar circumstances. Perhaps this why such a high percentage of the offending students were girls. In addition, this is not about a white administrator paddling black students. The majority of the girls involved were white. It is apparent that these girls were trying to flaunt the school rules and deserved to be punished.
5 It is unfair to criticize Oxford school administrators for paddling the girls when the students requested that method of punishment and the principle was operating in accordance with the school and ISD rules. Erica DeRamus did not agree with corporal punishment and opted for a suspension. The school respected her choice.
6 I agree with the use of corporal punishment as long as it is offered as an alternative punishment to high school students and used evenhanded. Girls of 17 and 18 are mature enough to be able to evaluate the options and can clearly understand the rules and consequences. In my opinion children not attending high school should not be paddled for those reasons.
7 Seventeen students and their parents have not made any public comments or complaints as a result of the paddlings and this is a fair indication that they support the schools actions.
8 None of the girls or parents complained that the paddling caused bruising to their buttocks, which is sometimes used to indicate that excessive force was used when administering the paddling (Ref - Timpson HS 2002).
9 The paddlings were not given as a compulsory punishment as in the Timpson HS incident. In that case 12 senior girls were paddled, which resulted in several of them receiving a severely bruised buttock.
10 Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 says that any institution receiving federal funding may not discriminate against anyone based on gender, which is why girls should receive the same punishment as boys. Many school administrators are aware that “girls seem more prone than boys to bruise from a minor injury, especially on the thighs, buttocks and upper arms” (Ref. ‘Merck Manual of Medical Information’ on page 126’
. Nowadays, school administrators are likely to be more concerned if a girl receives a bruised buttock as a result of a paddling, rather than a boy. Girls are more likely to make a complaint compared to boys and that will generate adverse newspaper publicity. Boys are still paddled more than girls, but rarely cause the same controversy. For these reasons, girls today are more likely to be paddled lighter than boys given the same offense.
11 Girls of 17 and 18 are more likely to wear higher cut underwear, unlike younger girls who are more likely to wear full backed panties which give added protection. Whereas boys, normally wear shorts which completely cover the cheeks; so older girls are likely to feel the effect of the paddle more intensely, even though we are mostly better "padded" on the backside! In the past, administrators tended not to make allowances for thinner clothing when paddling girls. Nowadays they are more aware. Evidence relating to Oxford HS paddlings indicates that the girls were not spanked too harshly.
12 The girls at Oxford HS were fully aware of the consequences when attending school the following week and had time to prepare. The majority of the girls had already decided to request corporal punishment and wore jeans or pants to preserve their modesty. In addition, at least 4 of the 17 girls wore extra layers of underwear or shorts that completely covered their buttocks for added protection.
13 A number of girls involved had previously received a paddling in lieu of other punishments, so they were fully aware of the implications when choosing corporal punishment instead of a detention.
14 The ISD rules do not specify that a student has to be paddled by an administrator or teacher of the same gender. This is usual in most HS where corporal punishment is administered.
I therefore conclude that Oxford HS acted fairly and correctly in disciplining these girls and principle Trey Holladay should be commended for taking a firm stance. He was clearly trying to maintain school standards, which are often becoming eroded in our communities.
Jennifer. V (TX)
