BRISTOL, LABRAE Paddling criticized

Schools need to find better ways to discipline kids, a Columbus group says.
By AMANDA C. DAVIS
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
Two Trumbull County school districts have paddled their way into an organization's "Hall of Shame" for their use of corporal punishment.
The Columbus-based Center for Effective Discipline has ranked Bristol schools fourth and LaBrae schools 11th in its "Hall of Shame" that lists Ohio districts by the number of pupils paddled for the 1998-99 school, the last year such statistics were available.
Nadine Block, executive director for the nonprofit organization, said the group studies effects of corporal punishment of children and alternatives to its use.
"We think schools need to focus more on preventive kinds of things to discipline children," she said.
For more information on the organization, visit its Web site, www.stophitting.com.
Bristol's stance: Bristol Superintendent Rocco Nero said the district has made an effort in the last few years to move away from corporal punishment.
Paddling is still an option for pupils, except for those in grades 10-12, Nero said, adding that administrators are looking toward other forms of discipline.
"We've gone with an in-school suspension program that has really helped our discipline problems," Nero said.
LaBrae's position: LaBrae Superintendent Ron Joseph said paddling is not meant to be abusive but serves as "quick and immediate" punishment for those pupils whose parents sign a consent form at the beginning of the year allowing the district to paddle their kids.
Paddling is only one option, Joseph said, explaining Saturday school and detention are also used.
He said he was surprised LaBrae was included in the organization's "Hall of Shame."
"It makes us look mean over here," he said jokingly.
Block said the "Hall of Shame" lists what organization officials call the "Dirty Dozen," the 12 Ohio districts that report the most paddling cases in a given year.
The Ohio Department of Education lists such statistics, but Block said the organization does a separate survey of school districts to determine its list.
Statistics: The group's 1998-99 statistics show that 1,099 paddlings were administered to 719 pupils in 43 Ohio school districts.
Of those, Block said the "Dirty Dozen" was responsible for 72 percent of those paddlings.
Block's information shows more than half of all pupils in Ohio are in districts that do not support corporal punishment. It says 27 states, including California, New York, Virginia and West Virginia, have banned the practice.
The organization is having SpankOut Day USA on April 30 in hopes of focusing on positive discipline of children.
Block said alternatives to paddling include emphasizing positive behaviors of children, parent-teacher conferences regarding behavior, use of school psychologists and counselors, in-school suspension and Saturday school.