Another Student Speaks Out After Suspended for Having Energy Mint
By: Sophie Nielsen-Kolding WMBD/WYZZ TV
Updated: October 5, 2012
PEKIN- One more of the four Pekin Community High School students is speaking out against being suspended for having and energy mint in his pocket.
WMBD previously reported on about four boys who say they were suspended after the school found out they had energy mints.
David Johnson said a friend offered him a mint at lunch time, so he put it in his pocket.
"And it was candy, so I feel like I shouldn't have even been suspended. I didn't eat it, I didn't even open it," Johnson said.
Johnson said his friend told him it was the equivalent of two Monster energy drinks, and he believed him. He said the punishment he got is harsh.
"For my JROTC I'm supposed to march today and that's a huge part of my grade. Since I got suspended I can't go to that, my grades going to drop in that class," Johnson said.
Johnson's mother said she's having a hard time understanding why accepting the mint was wrong.
"More or less the answers I got today was now he's being suspended because he accepted something not knowing what it was," she said.
The Pekin Community High School Handbook says, "A second offense during a school career involving the use, consumption, or possession of... look-alike drugs (legal or illegal)... will also lead to an expulsion recommendation."
It also says, "Since no handbook or disciplinary code can cover every action that interferes with fellow students or disrupts the educational process, the Deans and Administration reserve the right to take disciplinary action when necessary, even though the offense is not specifically referred to in the student handbook."
Johnson's mom said, "I think that he's learned to used better judgement, but I know David and he's very trusting. If somebody told him that something's candy or a mint, then in his eyes and in my eyes I don't believe he did anything wrong."
Johnson said he just wants to get back to work.
"I want an apology and I just want to go to school so I can get all my work turned in, I don't like being behind."
Johnson is supposed to be back in school on Tuesday.
WMBD previously reported on about four boys who say they were suspended after the school found out they had energy mints.
David Johnson said a friend offered him a mint at lunch time, so he put it in his pocket.
"And it was candy, so I feel like I shouldn't have even been suspended. I didn't eat it, I didn't even open it," Johnson said.
Johnson said his friend told him it was the equivalent of two Monster energy drinks, and he believed him. He said the punishment he got is harsh.
"For my JROTC I'm supposed to march today and that's a huge part of my grade. Since I got suspended I can't go to that, my grades going to drop in that class," Johnson said.
Johnson's mother said she's having a hard time understanding why accepting the mint was wrong.
"More or less the answers I got today was now he's being suspended because he accepted something not knowing what it was," she said.
The Pekin Community High School Handbook says, "A second offense during a school career involving the use, consumption, or possession of... look-alike drugs (legal or illegal)... will also lead to an expulsion recommendation."
It also says, "Since no handbook or disciplinary code can cover every action that interferes with fellow students or disrupts the educational process, the Deans and Administration reserve the right to take disciplinary action when necessary, even though the offense is not specifically referred to in the student handbook."
Johnson's mom said, "I think that he's learned to used better judgement, but I know David and he's very trusting. If somebody told him that something's candy or a mint, then in his eyes and in my eyes I don't believe he did anything wrong."
Johnson said he just wants to get back to work.
"I want an apology and I just want to go to school so I can get all my work turned in, I don't like being behind."
Johnson is supposed to be back in school on Tuesday.
Comments
Like we don't have enough bad kids! Now, you want to MANUFACTURE them?
The school says the mints aren't specifically prohibited and they're sold as candy. The school then goes on to say, the staff has the authority to interpret the rules and declare something to be a violation, in spite of the handbook not providing a prohibition or penalty.
Isn't that kind of like a cop giving out speeding tickets, on a road with no speed limit signs?
This is the kind of absence of common sense, that really pisses me off. And, these are SUPPOSED to be educated people. I guess this is just another example of how "educated" doesn't necessarily mean "smart"!
Sean L.
October 5, 2012 at 7:46 pm
