Missouri school district reinstates spanking as punishment

Superintendent of Cassville R-IV School District Merlyn Johnson, 47, stated that parents requested the return of corporal punishment.

According to the superintendent, a Missouri school district resumed corporal punishment after parents reportedly demanded that their children be spanked with a wooden paddle.

As of the beginning of the 2022-23 academic year, the Cassville R-IV School District, which is situated in close proximity to the state line with Arkansas, will use physical correction as a “last resort.”

According to the guideline, disciplinary seclusion is only to be implemented “after all other alternative forms of correction have failed.” It should never be done in front of other students at any time, according to the rule.

This form of corporal punishment, which is allowed in 19 states, will only be carried out in the presence of an eyewitness and will in no way result in “bodily hurt or harm.”

Superintendent Merlyn Johnson, who is 47 years old, stated that parents were inquiring to the school district as to “why can’t you paddle my student?” Johnson claimed that parents were making the inquiry. in addition, they reported receiving multiple requests to bring back the policy that had been in place for decades.

He disclosed this information to the Springfield News-Leader, saying, “There had been a talk with parents and there had been demands from parents for us to look into it.” “We’ve really had people thank us for it,” they said.

Younger pupils will receive one to two smacks to the buttocks for each infraction, while older students could receive as many as three if their parents choose to participate in the program. It does not specifically clarify how it will be measured or whether or not all members of staff will be authorized to hit students, but it does state that staff members will be entitled to use “appropriate physical force” against students.

Surprisingly, individuals on social media would likely be outraged to hear us say these things, but the vast majority of people I’ve encountered have been supportive, he stated.

In a letter to parents dated August 2022, Johnson claimed that the new policy was only intended to provide principals with an additional disciplinary alternative prior to administering more severe punishments. include suspensions’

If parents ‘want to authorize corporal punishment’ for their child, they are required to read an opt-in form and sign it before doing so.

Some parents are dissatisfied with the decision and have expressed that they would rather their children be suspended from school either inside or outside of the building than be subjected to physical punishment.