LAFAYETTE, Tenn. (WTVF) — A Middle Tennessee mom is outraged after her son was injured after being paddled at school, and his school district claimed the principal did nothing wrong.
The incident has sparked a debate in the community over corporal punishment in schools.
Ashley Lauer said her 12 year old son came home from school at the end of November with welts and bruises on his bottom after being paddled. He attends 6th grade at Macon County Junior High School. Lauer said she received a phone call from the school saying her son had missed numerous homework assignments. She approved the use of corporal punishment, as a form of discipline, which is allowed in the school district.
Lauer said at the beginning of each school year, parents can sign a form if they want to allow corporal punishment to be used on their child. She said she did not sign the form, but did allow it to be used for this one particular incident.
“I assumed he would be paddled,” said Lauer. “This was extreme.”
After her son complained he was in pain a day later, she discovered what she described as welts, blisters and bruises.
“He was wearing underwear, shorts and sweatpants,” said Lauer. “There had to be some force behind it to leave marks like that.”
Lauer asked the Tennessee Department of Children's Services to investigate the incident. The department concluded its investigation last week and determined no wrongdoing occurred.
Lauer then turned to social media to share a photo of her son’s injuries. Almost immediately, the post received thousands of comments and shares and started a debate on how the situation was handled.
The Tennessee Comptroller’s Office of Research and Education Accountability released a report on corporal punishment in public schools in March of 2018. It defined corporal punishment as paddling, spanking or other forms of physical punishment imposed on a student. The office reviewed 148 school board policies, and determined 109 districts have a policy which allows corporal punishment. Most policies allow principals, assistant principals or teachers to administer the corporal punishment.
Tony Boles, the Director of Macon County Schools, released a statement regarding the incident: “In November the incident was investigated by myself and DCS. We found that the principal did follow policy for corporal punishment, which also aligns with Tennessee law. DCS cleared the principal of any neglect and abuse.”
Lauer said she understands she approved the use of corporal punishment, but believed it went too far.
“Apparently, it’s okay for them to hit your child however hard they deem necessary and nothing can be done to them.”
Lauer said now son doesn’t want to go to school and fears the principal who paddled him. She said now they are considering moving to a new school district.
