Corporal Punishment Will Return To Marion County Elementary Schools
Sarah Gonzalez / StateImpact Florida
The paddle at Sneads High School in Jackson County, Fla. sits on the principal's desk.
The Marion school board has voted to reinstate paddling in county elementary schools after a three-year hiatus.
The punishment comes with a few restrictions. From the Ocala Star-Banner:
The board ruled that paddling can be used only if a parent gives a standing written OK once a year. In addition, the principal must obtain verbal permission at the time the punishment is handed down.
Under the policy, corporal punishment can only be used at the elementary school level. It can only be used on a child once a semester. Principals are not bound to use the punishment.
StateImpact Florida reporter Sarah Gonzalez had a series of stories last year looking at corporal punishment, including: Why communities support paddling; why schools can paddle students even when parents object; and the technical specifications of the paddles.
