LOUISIANA: private schools
- River Oaks School, Monroe [DOC]
This is a private (but not religious) school for grades K to 12, but corporal punishment is used only at the secondary level (grades 6 to 12). It is given for such offenses as truancy, profanity, disrespectfulness, and public displays of affection, but never as a first resort. There is a maximum of 3 swats per paddling. A parent not wishing their student to receive CP must send a written note. Unusually, the three people empowered to administer the paddle are designated by name. The precise dimensions of the paddle are specified, as is the fact that it is made of "hard clear plastic"; in a previous version of the document, it was made of "masonite". There is no longer any explicit provision for the student to refuse to accept CP.
- These Louisiana private schools are also known to use corporal punishment, but did not appear to say so on line when I last checked, or are not on line at all:
Desire Street Academy, New Orleans - see this Nov 2003 news item
New Wine Christian Academy, LaPlace - see this June 2005 news item
LOUISIANA: public schools
- Caddo Parish School Board (covers Oil City, Shreveport) [PDF]
Here, "the utilization of alternatives to suspension or expulsion is encouraged", and one of these is CP (no details given), but only at the elementary and middle school levels.
Federal government figures suggest that around 895 paddlings were administered in 2004-05 in this district.
- Franklinton High School, Washington Parish [DOC]
CP here is not one of the regular penalties for any of the listed groups of infractions, but may be used, "with extreme care, tact and caution", for "unruly pupils" after other methods have failed. It shall consist of striking the student on the buttocks a maximum of five times. There is no mention of any implement, but typical rules about privacy, witnesses and record-keeping.
- Iberia Parish School Board (covers Delcambre, Jeanerette, Loreauville, New Iberia) [PDF]
Corporal punishment is used, with the permission of the principal, after less stringent measures have failed. The dimensions of the paddle are stipulated (20" by 4" by half an inch), and it must be inflicted "on the buttocks area". Parental "restrictions" on corporal punishment are entertained only for medical reasons, and any parent making any such restriction "shall thereby assume and bear all responsibility" for the student's conduct.
- Monroe City Schools
At Carroll JHS, parents must be given the opportunity to deny permission for paddling (see the form at the end of the handbook). Otherwise, it may be used when other possible remedies have been used without success. Usual rules about privacy, witnesses, documentation. A student "may not receive more than three (3) applications of the paddle at any single session" and "may not receive a paddling more than once in any single school day".
For the district as a whole, government figures report 1,355 official spankings in 2004-05, or 15% of the student roll.
- Morehouse Parish Schools (covers Bastrop, Mer Rouge) [RTF]
US Dept of Education statistics claim that some 2,090 students were spanked here in 2004-05, or about 46% of the enrollment, which would be at least 12 spankings per school day. (More than half of these were at just two almost-entirely-black elementary schools.)
Corporal punishment may be given by any teacher, but not by bus drivers. The teacher may spank with his or her hand (it is fairly unusual for this to be specified in official rules), or else use a paddle 20" long, 4" wide and half an inch thick, with a maximum of 3 swats on the "buttocks area". The principal must give permission and there must be a witness. Documentation required includes information as to the race of the student punished. "Mandatory suspension" is the automatic penalty for refusal to submit to a spanking. On a second suspension for this reason (among others), the student may be expelled.
Parents may fill out a form requesting that their child not be spanked in the event of illness or physical or emotional infirmity.
Beekman Junior High (which evidently also includes elementary grades) happens to be the district's only school to go into more detail on its web pages, though its CP figures are not high by Morehouse standards. Here, throwing rocks, sticks or acorns will result in a paddling at the first offense. In grades 4-8, students caught chewing gum have a choice of paddling or detention. "Dunking on portable basketball goals" (whatever that may be) or other misuse of school equipment will be punished by either a paddling or suspension. Students assigned to detention, or their parents, may request that a paddling be substituted for the detention, but the principal may decline that request. In any event, failure to report to detention "will result in a paddling".
Paddling will be delivered "to the seat only" and for grades 4-8 must take place in the principal's office; for younger students, it may be administered "in a designated area". Parental request for non-use of CP must be renewed each year, and the parent must sign the form in person in the school office. The student in question will then be suspended instead of being paddled.
- Rapides Parish School Board (covers Alexandria, Ball, Deville, Elmer, Forest Hill, Glenmora, Hineston, Lena, Pineville)
This school district has typical Louisiana language about CP not being a first line of punishment, witnesses and documentation. CP is to be applied only to the buttocks. At Plainview, a rural all-through (pre-K through 12th grade) school, paddling is an alternative to detention for the fourth and fifth offenses of unexcused tardiness. One assumes it is also available for other kinds of infractions, but this is not spelled out.
See also news items from Oct 2003 and June 2005 and May 2006.
- Sabine Parish School Board (covers Converse, Florien, Many, Negreet, Noble, Pleasant Hill, Zwolle)
Corporal punishment is permitted "due to a necessity to authorize methods of discipline other than suspension and/or expulsion". It must take the form of paddling (max. 5 swats) "in" [sic] the buttocks, with the permission of the principal and in the presence of another staff member. CP should be used after other methods have failed, but may also be offered as an alternative to short-term suspension. Typical rules about due process and documentation. There appears to be no reference to parental consultation or approval except at Many Junior High, where CP may not be used if parents have submitted a form to that effect. Bus drivers are forbidden to inflict CP.
All 12 individual schools in the district now reproduce the school board's CP policy in their handbooks. Converse emphasises that paddling is part of the discipline at the school. Ebarb particularly mentions sexual harassment as a reason for paddling. At Pleasant Hill, CP is specified as a consequence at elementary level for a second to fifth referral inclusive for all offenses, and at the junior high and high school levels for a first referral but apparently not subsequent ones, and is also particularly mentioned as a penalty for fighting.
See also this April 2001 news item and its illustrated follows-up about paddlings at Zwolle Elementary School.
- Webster Parish School Board (covers Cotton Valley, Doyline, Dubberly, Minden, Sarepta, Shongaloo, Springhill)
"Corporal punishment (spanking)" is permitted for "unruly pupils" as a last resort. Typical rules about privacy, documentation and witnesses. Parents may exempt, in which case they must be prepared to come to the school to pick up the student during the school day. A female member of staff must be present when girls are spanked. Only the buttocks may be paddled (this is a recent addition to the policy).
At Harper Elementary, spanking is used on students with "significant behavior problems".
At Webster Junior High, parents choosing exemption from CP must have a signed letter in the office. This letter must be updated on a yearly basis; this school adds that "substitution for corporal punishment" in that event may be detention or suspension.
See also this June 2005 news item, which gives the recently approved dimensions of the paddle to be used and states that there is a maximum of five licks.
- These Louisiana public schools also state that they use corporal punishment, but give few or no details:
St Landry Parish School Board (covers Arnaudville, Cankton, Eunice, Grand Coteau, Krotz Springs, Lawtell, Leonville, Melville, Morrow, Opelousas, Palmetto, Port Barre, Sunset, Washington) and see also, as regards Plaisance Elementary School in Opelousas, this Feb 2003 news item, and, as regards Palmetto Elementary School, this May 2005 news item.
Ouachita Parish School Board (covers Calhoun, Monroe, Sterlington, Swartz, West Monroe)
- These Louisiana public schools are also known to use corporal punishment, but did not appear to say so on line when I last checked, or are not on line at all:
Bogalusa City Schools - see this Aug 2006 news item
St Helena Parish Schools, Greensburg - see this July 2002 news item
MISSISSIPPI: private schools
 Chamberlain-Hunt Academy, Port Gibson
This Christian boys' boarding academy for grades 7 through 12 is proud of its "rigorous military discipline". In the weekly schedule we see that "Demerit detail" occurs at 5 a.m. every morning, and most evenings a 55-minute slot is allocated for "dinner and discipline". "Cadets soon learn that unwise choices bring undesirable consequences". "Reinforcement to supplement the assertive discipline program ... is achieved through corporal punishment." This is inflicted "under direct supervision of the Commandant". The cadet himself, as well as his parents, must sign a form at enrollment (included here [PDF], see page 8) agreeing to this.
More details are provided in the Cadet Handbook [PDF], in which corporal punishment is defined as "Licks which are administered only by the Commandant or a designated staff member, and will be witnessed by a staff member." Further on in the same document is a long list of offenses (see "Figure 6.6 - Deficiency Table"), no fewer than 45 of which may result in CP. In many cases this is as an alternative to demerits - but demerits in excess of 25 may also themselves bring corporal punishment.
- Heritage Academy High School, Columbus (Alternative link)
The headmaster or principal may "institute" corporal punishment (no details supplied) of any student for disorderly conduct, on or off campus.
- Laurel Christian School, Laurel
CP is used when other techniques have failed. A spanking may be given by the class teacher, but another staff member must be present, and parents are notified beforehand.
- Starkville Christian School, Starkville [PDF]
"Corporal correction" is "appropriated" [sic] here for "repeated flaunting of authority" -- I think they mean "flouting", but English language is obviously not the strong point at this establishment. It is done with a simple flat paddle, max. three strokes, in front of a witness who may be a teacher or a parent.
MISSISSIPPI: public schools
- Alcorn School District
Corporal punishment (no details supplied) is permitted as a disciplinary measure. In the case of a first offense of tobacco possession, a student is required to present a ten-page report on the harmful effects of tobacco use or may instead opt to receive corporal punishment.
- Benton County School District [PDF]
CP shall be reasonable and moderate, and used only as a last resort. In grades 6-12 the teacher administering the paddling must be of the same sex as the student; apparently in the elementary grades this isn't thought important. Typical rules about witnesses and documentation. If a parent notifies the school that CP may not be used, or if the student refuses to submit to it, the student shall be suspended. An unusual provision is that corporal punishment may not be administered on school property by a parent. Paddling is specifically mentioned as being an option for a first incidence of misbehavior on the school bus, based on the recommendation of the driver.
- Biloxi Public Schools [PDF]
Corporal punishment (no practical details supplied) is described as "an option" here; parents are required to state in advance whether they approve it or not. If not, they may have to attend "parenting sessions", which sounds a bit totalitarian to me, or even attend classes with the student, which is no doubt far more embarrassing for the student than simply being paddled. One wonders whether these rules have been framed purely to make sure that no parents ever do in practice opt their offspring out. Wouldn't it be easier just to offer a paddling option to the student him- or herself and leave the parents out of it? Anyway, corporal punishment is on a par with one or two days' school detention and comes on step 2 of the "discipline ladder". This is the secondary handbook; the elementary handbook, dated 2001 but apparently still extant, contains identical wording except that here CP features at step 3 of the discipline ladder as well as step 2.
- Chickasaw County Schools, Houlka [DOC]
This district has changed its policy, and has taken over the same wording as Biloxi (see above) as regards what happens if parents object to corporal punishment. CP comes in at step 2 of the discipline ladder. An earlier version, still on line as of this writing, said that paddling was only applicable in the elementary grades, but the new handbook does not make any such distinction.
- DeSoto County Schools, Hernando (Alternative link)
According to federal statistics, about 2,400 students were paddled in school year 2004-05 in this school district, slightly over 10% of the student population. Though in Mississippi, DeSoto County is de facto a suburb of Memphis TN.
Corporal punishment (no details given) may be used here for repeated level 1 (minor) offenses and for a first violation at level II or III.
Southaven's Schoolwide Plan states that there were 70 paddlings at that school in school year 2006/07, reflecting "the strict behavior climate in the school".
At Central Middle School, students who are tardy to class for a fourth time in a semester may choose between 3 days' after-school detention, 5 days' ALC or two strokes of the paddle.
See also this Jan 2006 news item and this Feb 2006 follow-up (both with video clips) about a mass paddling of boys by the football coach at Olive Branch Middle School, and this further follow-up of April 2006 giving paddling statistics for the district and revising downward the number of boys said to have been paddled from around 20 to 10.
See also this April 2006 news item about paddling as an alternative to suspension for dress code violations at Horn Lake Middle School.
- Drew Public Schools [PDF]
This school system has an unusually high maximum of 7 licks in grades 7-12 and 5 licks at elementary level. There are typical rules about witnesses and due process. Paddling is mentioned only for class I (the least serious) offenses, and then only for a second or subsequent violation.
- Harrison County School District (covers part of Biloxi, Christian, D'Iberville, Gulfport, Saucier) [DOC]
The principal or assistant principal must be present at all spankings. CP must be administered "to the buttocks only" and must not be excessive, though no maximum number of whacks is stipulated. An unusual provision is that every paddle used not only must be approved by the building principal but must be initialed by him or her; it must be kept in the office. A form, recording the number of licks administered, is to be taken home by the punished student and given to his or her parents.
This district does not make heavy use of the paddle by Mississippi standards: US Dept of Education figures estimate 980 spankings in 2004-05, or only 7% of the student roll.
- Lamar County School District (covers Hattiesburg, Lumberton, Purvis, Sumrall) [PDF]
Corporal punishment is an option at steps 1 to 3 of the discipline ladder but not step 4. It must be applied only to the student's buttocks "in such a manner that there will be no permanent effects" and not in a manner that would "unduly embarrass" the student, e.g. in the presence of other students. Parents wishing their offspring to be exempt must say so in writing annually, and in that event the student may be suspended instead. If parents refuse consent, the same provisions apply as at Biloxi and Chickasaw (see above). This is the high school handbook; the elementary/middle school handbook has identical wording as far as the CP provisions are concerned.
See also this July 2005 news item and this Jan 2007 follow-up.
- Lauderdale County Schools (covers Collinsville, Meridian) [PDF]
CP should be used only when it is thought to be effective and/or other methods have failed. It is indicated at Step 2 of the "Discipline Ladder". Parents must be informed, and may "deny corporal punishment to their child" by making a written request.
- Laurel School District [PDF]
Here are this district's new rules following a decision in August 2006 to continue using corporal punishment. This was described in the local press as "re-implementing" CP, with an implication that it had fallen into disuse, although reference to it had not been excised from the various school handbooks.
The new policy is detailed and explicit. CP should be a last resort after other procedures have failed. It may not be used for academic performance reasons but also, for some reason, not for tardiness (exactly what it is mainly used for at some US schools).
As to the modus operandi, the punishment is to be applied to the student's buttocks with a hole-free wooden paddle whose precise dimensions are stipulated. The maximum is five licks, but three licks should be the norm. The student must not be required to remove any clothing for the paddling except jackets, coats or sweaters. Any student refusing to be paddled, or "behaving in such a manner that
corporal punishment could not safely be administered", is suspended for three days.
The teacher who initially witnessed the misbehavior shall be the one who recommends a paddling, but a different teacher must administer it, with the usual provisions about witnesses (same-sex, in the case of grades 7 and up), due process and documentation. Unusually, it is laid down that the administering teacher and the witness are to decide jointly whether CP is appropriate and, if so, how many licks to deliver. If they can't agree, the matter is referred upwards to the principal.
Parental consent for CP is no longer required. However, an effort should be made before the paddling "to determine that the student has not been physically abused, nor has a medical or mental condition which may preclude such punishment". Furthermore, if the student has a disability or is in a special education program, no CP shall be administered without approval from the Special Education Office.
At the end of the document is a "Corporal punishment checklist", to be filled out and signed by the teacher initially recommending CP, the one administering, and the witness.
The policy document for corporal punishment at the Alternative School, evidently a sort of "sin bin", dates from 2002 and states that it may be administered only to students whose parents have signed a form to that effect, and reproduces the said form at page 4. Presumably this is now superseded by the new district-wide policy described above, doing away with the need for parental consent.
At the High School, CP is not listed as one of the penalties for ordinary misbehavior. However, it may be used in the case of a 6th, 7th or 8th unexcused absence as an alternative to three days' out-of-school suspension. Perhaps the reasoning here is that, by the time a student reaches his or her 6th absence, he or she has already missed so much school that suspension is going to make catching up impossible.
The elementary handbook used to have the same wording, but the 2006-07 version makes clear that paddling is now one of the penalties for any violation in category C, the least serious level.
- Lee County Schools (covers Belden, Guntown, Mooreville, Plantersville, Saltillo, Shannon, Tupelo, Verona) [DOC]
CP is a means of enforcing the rules when other methods have been unsuccessful. It is indicated for a first or second offense of "unacceptable behavior", but not for a third such offense, at which point the student is suspended. Rules about witnesses and documentation but nothing about modus operandi or parental involvement.
An earlier version of the document also specifically provided, at the secondary level, for CP as an option for a fourth or fifth tardy, but that language has gone from the latest edition.
There were about 1,000 paddlings here in school year 2004-05, according to government statistics.
- Madison County School District (covers Camden, Canton, Flora, Madison, Ridgeland)
Corporal punishment is "administered only if the conduct of a student is of such an extreme nature that this method is the only reasonable form of discipline".
CP is also one of the "more severe consequences" that may result from a fourth and subsequent tardy to class, and is also indicated for taking part in a minor fight. Usual rules about privacy and witnesses. All paddles, when not in use, must be stored in the office. Parental requests for non-use of paddling must be made in writing.
Federal statistics estimate that roughly 1,600 paddlings were administered in this district in 2004-05, some 16% of the school roll.
- Neshoba Central Middle School, Philadelphia [PDF] (Alternative link)
This Philadelphia is not of course the famous one, which is in Pennsylvania. Corporal punishment here seems to be a first resort. It may be applied for a "first referral", but from the second referral onwards there is a scale of increasingly severe suspensions and no mention of paddling. In addition, however, students may specifically be "paddled or suspended" for "derogatory correspondence". A student who refuses to be paddled is given in-school suspension.
- Newton Elementary School, Decatur [DOC]
Typical rules about privacy and witnesses. If a student refuses to be paddled, or if parents refuse consent for it, the student will be suspended for three days, and this will constitute an unexcused absence. CP is also mentioned separately as part of the school bus procedure, where it features in step 1 and step 2 of the disciplinary ladder, evidently as the next step before suspension from the bus. Newton also has a high school and a middle school, which may well have the same policy, but their handbooks don't seem to be on line.
- North Tippah School District
Here the teacher has a 'beehive', with a bee for each child. If a child misbehaves, his or her bee is moved on to one of a series of charts of different colors. Students whose bees remain in the hive at the end of the day are rewarded. Anyone whose bee has reached the "red chart" may get spanked.
- Ocean Springs Middle School
CP (no details given) is one of the options at Step I of the discipline ladder, which puts it on a par with lunch duty and detention.
- Oktibbeha County Schools, Starkville [PDF]
Corporal punishment (no practical details vouchsafed) is applicable here at step 1 for major offenses and at step 2 for minor offenses.
- Pearl Public School District
A previous version of the High School handbook said that students who refused corporal punishment would be given three days' out-of-school suspension. It added that a teacher might "issue" [sic] corporal punishment only once a day to the same pupil, but an administrator might "issue" it to the same student up to three times in the same day! All that language has disappeared from the latest version, which merely states that CP may be used by teachers and administrators, generally after other efforts to correct the misconduct have proved ineffective; typical rules about privacy, witnesses and documentation. There are no details of the modus operandi.
At the Junior High, CP may be used at the principal's discretion and is administered after parents have been notified.
- Pearl River County School District [DOC]
A lot of rules and procedures here. The district handbook includes some district-wide stuff, plus details for each of the three schools in turn (high, junior high and elementary). The result is a confusing, repetitive and not entirely coherent document.
For school bus offenses there is a district-wide points system -- lesser offenses merit 2 points, giving 5 days' bus suspension, or an "option of three swats is available", but only twice in one school year. It is stated elsewhere that CP is not available at the high school.
At the junior high and elementary schools, parents may sign a form stating that they wish their child to receive swats in lieu of suspension. The form is included near the bottom of this web document, and also allows parents to state that they do NOT give consent for paddling, though in the context it's a bit ambiguous whether this means not in any circumstances, or just not in lieu of suspension. At the junior high, four "break detentions" within 20 days automatically brings further punishment in the form of a minimum of 1 day ISS or 3 swats. Also: "Once a student has been assigned ISS, changes will not be made to any other form of discipline". I take this to mean that you have to make your mind up at the outset if you want to ask for a paddling instead.
At the elementary school, the class teacher writes offending students' names on the board. After four checks against his or her name, the student gets "sent to the office or three swats", the swats here presumably being given in the classroom. Being sent to the office for a second or third time (but apparently not for a first or fourth time) itself merits 3 swats, or 1-3 days' ISS. It is made explicit that an office paddling is always three swats, with a second staff member as witness.
- Rankin County School District (covers Brandon, Florence, Flowood, Pelahatchie, Puckett, Richland, Sandhill) [PDF]
CP is generally to be used when other methods have proved ineffective. Typical rules about due process, witnesses, privacy and documentation. In addition to taking account, when delivering the spanking, of the student's age, size and condition -- a standard, if probably fairly meaningless, rule -- the "size, strength and temperament of the disciplinarian" is also to be considered.
US Dept of Education statistics record about 880 instances of CP here in 2004-05.
- Scott County Schools (covers Forest, Lake, Morton)
At BMJ Middle, the consequence for a second offense of infringing the classroom rules is "3-page report or paddling", and for a third such offense, "6-page report or paddling". A separate page for Mr Mangum's 5th-grade math class [DOC] adds that students caught playing in the bathroom will likewise "receive a paddling or a 6-page report".
For Scott County schools as a whole, federal statistics estimate that 1,120 students were spanked in 2004-05, or 28% of the enrollment.
- South Panola School District, Batesville [RTF]
The district policy states that corporal punishment does not constitute assault, and provides that, when CP consists of paddling, it must be witnessed by at least one licensed school employee.
At Pope, the CP policy lays down that "no more than three blows will be delivered, always on the buttocks". It will not be administered spontaneously: a period of time must elapse between the offense and the punishment. A parental waiver is required before students in grades five and above may be so punished, but apparently not in the elementary grades. "Students who have reached a level of maturity will be given a choice between corporal punishment and abiding by the provisions of the Conduct Code", which seems to mean that senior pupils can ask to be spanked instead of being suspended or expelled. CP may also be given for tardies.
The high school handbook states that, for level I violations (talking without permission, running in hall, etc.), CP may be applied for a third offense (as an alternative to two days' before-school detention) or for a fourth offense (as an alternative to one day's in-school detention). For level II violations (inappropriate dress, cheating, defiance, etc.), it is available at the first or second offense. For any other offense, "any student who has attained a level of maturity which enables the student to understand the charges against him ... may elect not to be punished under the provisions of this Code and elect to be summarily punished".
These mysterious references to "summary punishment" at the choice of the student -- which have been on the books here for many years -- are presumably a way of alluding to corporal punishment without using those words, though since the words "corporal punishment" ARE used elsewhere in the document, the reasons for such obfuscation are not clear. See also section 21, headed "Fair Hearing", which states that "Any student who is accused of a violation of this Code and who does not elect summary punishment will be disciplined subject to this Code and will be fully informed of the rights afforded the student by the law and by the policies of the South Panola School District".
All this seems to be a roundabout way of saying that any sufficiently mature student (and presumably therefore seniors in particular) may opt to receive an immediate paddling, for any offense, in exchange for dispensing with all bureaucratic procedures. In my view this is an excellent policy which deserves to be set out more explicitly. As before, there are no details as to the modus operandi and nothing about parental consent or notification.
Batesville Junior High has more or less the same wording as the senior high school.
At Batesville Middle, CP must be delivered with an approved paddle, and always to the student's buttocks. No maximum numer of swats appears to be specified. Any student refusing to be paddled is mandatorily suspended. Every paddling must be recorded on a "discipline form", stating the nature of the offense and the number of swats administered, to be signed by the student as well as the witness. A copy is sent to the parents.
Batesville Intermediate School's handbook provides that "corporal punishment consists of three licks to the buttocks in the presence of a witness". Parents wishing to exempt their student from CP must do so on a special form which they must personally pick up from the school office. Any unexcused tardy may be punished with a paddling.
- Vicksburg Warren School District (covers Vicksburg)
The Junior High and High school handbooks -- the former so ineptly scanned as to be almost illegible -- now merely state that "appropriately applied corporal punishment" (no details supplied) is for level 1 (relatively minor) offenses only. At the elementary level there is the (surely illegal?) rule that the adult witness to corporal punishment "may" (which presumably means "must", unless the rule is wholly redundant) be of the same race as the child. Parents may opt their children out of CP by writing a letter at the beginning of the school year, in which case the student will be suspended instead.
US Dept of Education figures estimate 1,120 paddlings in this district in 2004-05.
- Yazoo City Alternative Learning Center (Alternative link)
Here is something out of the ordinary. This is a "sin bin" for students displaying behavioral problems, and clearly operates a draconian regime: students who talk in class are subject to paddling and/or 2 days' suspension. The same applies to students who fail to go to the cafeteria (whether they eat or not) or who, in so doing, neglect to walk in a single line or to keep noise to a minimum. For going to the bathroom or water fountain while exchanging classes, and for bringing food into the building, the penalty is paddling and/or one day's suspension. Longer suspensions, without paddling, are imposed for more serious offenses such as smoking or fighting.
- These Mississippi schools or school districts are also known to use corporal punishment, but did not appear to say so on line when I last checked, or are not on line at all:
Forrest County Schools, Hattiesburg - see this Jan 2007 news item, reporting that CP is used regularly
Indianola School District (935 paddlings in 2004-05, according to government figures, or 36% of the student roll)
Itawamba County School District - see this Oct 2005 news item
Meridian Public School District (1,070 paddlings in 2004-05, according to federal statistics) -- see, in relation to Carver Middle School, this Feb 2004 news item
Wayne County School District (covers Buckatunna, Clara, Waynesboro) (about 1,010 paddlings in 2004-05, or 26% of the enrollment)
MISSOURI: private schools
- Blue Ridge Elementary Christian School, Kansas City [PDF]
This school uses a wooden paddle as its "rod of correction" as instructed by the Bible. Fighting, cheating, lying and stealing "will call for an immediate disciplinary spanking". Parents must agree to this before enrollment. They are notified the same day when a spanking occurs.
- Clinton Christian Academy, Clinton [PDF] (Alternative link)
This is the form for either giving or withholding parental consent to CP. The handbook itself seems to have disappeared; it said that CP is used when other methods have been exhausted. If the student is a girl, it must be administered by a female teacher, but either sex may paddle a boy.
MISSOURI: public schools
- Advance R-IV Public Schools, Advance
Corporal punishment (not more than three swats with a wooden paddle) will be used "only when deemed absolutely necessary". None the less, it is mentioned here as an option for several specific offenses, such as skipping/truancy, classroom misbehavior, gambling, etc. Paddling is no prescribed for punishing tobacco use, mentioned in earlier versions. In general, one swat seems to be equivalent to one day's detention. Whether the student himself gets to choose between these alternatives is not clear. A record of each paddling must be kept, listing no less than six steps.
- Arcadia Valley Middle School, Ironton
Swats may be administered in lieu of after-school detention. Parents may request in writing that their children should not be paddled, and the student himself also has the right to refuse swats. It's not clear what then happens instead. The paddling must be applied to the buttocks, in the Principal's office.
- Ash Grove School District (covers Ash Grove, Bois D'Arc)
Corporal punishment may be used, on the recommendation of the principal, when all alternative means have failed. It must consist of "swatting the buttocks with a paddle" in such a way that there is no chance of bodily injury. This should be done preferably by the principal in the presence of the teacher.
At the High School and at Bois D'Arc Elementary, the paddle is regarded as an "alternative disciplinary measure"; parents are notified before it is used.
See also this Jan 2005 news item, which also describes the modus operandi for paddling and states that in practice the maximum number of swats given is three.
- Aurora R-VIII School District [PDF]
This district uses more or less the same wording as Ash Grove, above (last resort, swatting the buttocks with a paddle, no chance of injury, privacy, witness). Robinson Middle School's handbook merely reproduces the wording of the district policy document. There is a separate High School handbook, which doesn't mention CP.
- Bernie R-XIII School District [PDF]
No beating about the bush here: "Teachers may use corporal punishment with or without the permission of the parents". However, it should not be a first resort. A second official must witness.
- Blue Eye R-VIII School District [PDF]
Click on "Section I" and then "JDA.pdf" in the resulting zip file. The district uses more or less the same wording as Ash Grove, above (last resort, swatting the buttocks with a paddle, no chance of injury, privacy, witness). At the Elementary School, where corporal punishment is referred to as "swats", parents must send in a form (reproduced at the end of the handbook) at the start of the school year in which they either give or withhold consent for CP. The Middle School handbook says that CP may be given by the principal, and that parents should notify the school if there is a physical condition that would make CP harmful to the student's health (this provision is also in the elementary book). There is a separate High School handbook, which doesn't mention CP.
- Bolivar R-I School District
The Middle School handbook says simply that corporal punishment is permitted, but will not be administered without parental consent. There are no details. The Teacher Handbook spells out that ordinary teachers may not administer CP. The Bolivar High School handbook, which used to say (and possibly still does) that "swats may be an option for some offenses" and that these would be administered by the principal, is not currently on line.
See also this Jan 2005 news item in which the superintendent says he disapproves of paddling.
- Brookfield R-III School District
This district permits CP on the recommendation of the principal, who is preferably the person who will administer it. It consists of "swatting the buttocks with a paddle". Typical rules about privacy, witnesses and documentation. The High School and Middle School reserve the right to use CP, but it is not the preferred method and is used only after other methods have been ineffective or if the misbehavior is extreme. At the Elementary School, paddlings are given only on parental request.
- Cabool R-IV School District [DOC]
The board policy document says, on the same page, both that corporal punishment is authorized and that it is prohibited! Somebody has cut and pasted from the Missouri School Board Association's model language without reading the words. It's clear from the individual handbooks that in fact CP is authorized.
The Elementary School book provides for corporal punishment as an alternative to detention for a third minor offense (profanity is specifically mentioned) or a second offense of possessing disruptive devices or tobacco, and as an alternative to ISS for a second offense of serious defiance. It's not mentioned in connection with other major offenses.
At the High School, by contrast, CP is regarded as a "serious punishment" on a par with suspension or expulsion and for which due process is required; students may therefore appeal to the superintendent, though not to the Board of Education, against being paddled. The punishment is to be given by the principal or designee, to a maximum of three swats per day per student. The witness must be of the same sex as the student under punishment.
The Middle School handbook says that corporal punishment should be administered by the principal. It provides for 2 swats for a first offense of disruptive conduct or profanity or obscenity, and for a second offense of chronic failure to work on assignments. For a third offense of chronic failure to work on assignments, or a second offense of disruptive conduct or profanity, the punishment rises to three swats. CP with no number of swats specified may be used for a first offense of extortion, harassment, threats, or possession of harmful devices. These are all alternatives to varying amounts of detention or ISS. Parents will be contacted beforehand. Typical wording about being a last resort, privacy and witnesses.
- Camdenton School District [PDF]
In this school district, corporal punishment may be used "with students who fail to respond to other disciplinary methods". It may be given by a teacher, not only by the principal. The student is to be asked in front of the witness whether there are "any medical or physical reasons" why he or she should not be paddled. There is a maximum of three swats "per occurrence", which must be administered to the buttocks in such a way that there are no permanent marks or ill effects. Parents may request exemption in writing.
At the Middle School, paddling is specifically mentioned as a possible penalty for a third offense of possessing disruptive devices. It can also be given for failing to turn up for detention. Curiously, it doesn't feature among the specified consequences for general classroom disruptions, vandalism, horseplay, tardiness, or various other offenses for which one might expect it. Where parents have requested exemption, the student who would otherwise be paddled is immediately suspended pending a conference.
Oak Ridge and three other elementary schools that use identical language, Dogwood, Osage Beach and Hurricane Deck, merely reproduce parts of the district policy document. There is also a High School handbook, which doesn't mention CP.
- Cape Girardeau School District [PDF]
CP is to be administered by the Principal or Assistant Principal, with a witness, and takes the form of "swatting the buttocks with a paddle", max. four swats.
However, this Nov 2005 news item quotes the superintendent as saying that he "is not aware" of it being used in any of the district's schools.
- Carl Junction R-1 School District
This district uses more or less identical wording to Ash Grove, above (last resort, swatting the buttocks with a paddle, no chance of injury, privacy, witness).
At the primary school, CP is stated to be rarely used, and only when alternative means of discipline have failed. Parents are contacted beforehand if possible. There is also a High School handbook, which doesn't mention CP at all.
But matters are different at the Junior High school. Here the handbook simply lists "paddling" as one of the consequences for discipline violations. The school's magazine, "Bulldog Paw Prints", gives the flavor of this in actual practice. Scroll down to the article entitled "Craziest Referrals and Punishments Entertain Elbrader" on page 6. There is a picture of Assistant Principal Debbie Elbrader, who describes "swats" as one of her usual punishments. The student author writes that if you are sent to the office, "you don't know whether you'll get a couple of Mrs. Elbrader’s famous swats, or if you will get that page long sentence that you have to write". As the correspondent who drew this document to my attention writes, "a truly classic peek into what life is like in small American communities where teenage school kids are both happy and spanked!".
- Carthage School District [PDF]
This district, too, uses similar language to Ash Grove (last resort, swatting the buttocks with a paddle, no chance of injury, privacy, witness).
The elementary handbook (covering five schools) merely repeats part of the wording of the district policy document. The junior and senior high schools mention only that CP is a possibility, and give no details.
 Caruthersville School District
This school district's website seems to say nothing at all about discipline and punishment. However, a page now removed contained a picture of the elementary school's former assistant principal, Mr Doug White. Could that be the bottom end of a paddle just visible at the front of his desk?
Yes, it could! Here is another picture of Coach White, on a more recent occasion, now promoted to assistant principal of the HIGH school, taken from a page also currently not on line:
- Clever R-V School District
This district uses more or less identical wording to Ash Grove, above (last resort, swatting the buttocks with a paddle, no chance of injury, privacy, witness).
The High School handbook merely repeats part of the wording of the district policy document.
- Cole Camp High School [PDF]
See page 12, ignoring the erroneous reference to Benton County at the beginning of the document. CP (no details provided) is a "last resort", used only with parental consent, the form for granting which is included at the end the handbook. This also states that "the Principal or Assistant Principal may elect not to administer corporal punishment even if parental permission is on file".
Unusually for a high school, the parent may attend the paddling as an observer (something one imagines most students would prefer not to happen). CP may be used if "it will be helpful in maintaining discipline or in the development of the student’s character and power of self-control".
- Crocker R-2 School District
Paddling is the only form of CP used. It is described as an "alternative disciplinary action". In practice what it seems to be an alternative to is out-of-school suspension, in particular for infractions of the rules for in-school suspension, such as sleeping, refusing to work, and unexcused tardies. There are no details about the modus operandi, number of swats to be applied, etc.
- Dora R-III School District
At both schools, all CP is described as "one to three swats". These are to be administered by "swatting the buttocks with a paddle". There are rules about privacy, witnesses and record-keeping, but no mention of parental involvement either before or after the event.
At the High School, a paddling may be awarded for a first offense of fighting, possession of an offensive device, demeaning language, disrespect or extortion. The same punishment is a possible consequence for a first, second or third offense of disruptive speech or conduct or possession of tobacco, for a first or second offense of tobacco use or truancy, and for a second offense of dress code violation or public display of affection.
Although the information is set out in a different way at the Elementary School, the provisions for CP appear to be identical to those at the High School.
- Dunklin R-5 School District, Herculaneum [PDF] (Alternative link)
CP, for use only when other methods have failed, must be administered ("preferably by the principal") by swatting the buttocks with a paddle. This must be done in such a way that "there can be no chance of bodily injury or harm". There are rules about privacy, witnesses and record-keeping, but no mention of parental involvement either before or after the event. This is evidently standard language drawn up by the Missouri School Boards Association and taken over word-for-word by several districts.
- El Dorado Springs School District
At the elementary school, CP may be administered by the principal; parents will be informed if possible. It is specifically mentioned for a first offense of intimidation, extortion or assault, and also for a second tobacco offense (one to three swats). Students may not go on field trips who have received corporal punishment in the 15 days preceding the trip.
Less detail is provided at the Middle School, which has identical wording to Ash Grove (see above).
The High School handbook doesn't mention CP. See also this Jan 2005 news item.
- Fordland R-III Public Schools [DOC]
Corporal punishment, described as "a paddling administered to the student", may be used for category I, II and III violations, i.e. everything except the most serious. "All punishment shall be administered without malice." This is the high school handbook, but the middle and elementary handbooks contain identical CP provisions.
- Gideon School District [PDF]
The first of these three documents is the Teacher Handbook for the whole district. Teachers are urged not to threaten to send students to the office to be paddled, as "this will be the principal's decision only". However, teachers may themselves paddle without reference to the principal. Parents do not have any option in the matter. There is a maximum of three swats, and of one paddling per day. Usual rules about privacy and witnesses. If the paddler is angry, the punishment must be postponed until he or she is no longer angry. (What if he or she is one of those teachers who are always angry?)
At the elementary school, a paddling automatically results when a student has clocked up five "check marks". Here again it is made explicit that "We do not accept parent refusals!". Paddling is also mentioned as a punishment for a second or subsequent offense of misbehavior on the school bus. Also, "fighting, spitting and biting are spanking offenses".
At the high school, CP is not listed as a standard penalty but may be substituted for ISS or OSS at the principal's discretion. It's not quite clear whether this occurs only if requested by the student or parent.
- Hannibal Board of Education [PDF]
This district uses the standard Missouri Schools Board Association language ("swatting the buttocks with a paddle", etc. -- see Dunklin), but adds that parents who do not want their children to receive corporal punishment must notify the principal in writing during the first week of school. In that event, the student will instead receive detention, in-school suspension, or out-of-school suspension.
- Hollister School District
The pan-district policy document reproduces standard Missouri language about privacy, witnesses and swatting the buttocks with a paddle.
At the elementary school, CP may be used at the principal's discretion; parents are informed, but apparently not necessarily consulted.
The middle and junior high schools state, with identical wording, that CP is used only when other methods have failed and when "there is reason to believe it will be helpful in maintaining discipline or in the development of the student’s character and power of self-control". There is also a high school, whose handbook doesn't mention corporal punishment.
See also this Jan 2005 news item.
- Houston R-I School District (Alternative link)
This is Houston, Missouri, not the famous Houston, which is in Texas. Corporal punishment, only one swat, comes into play only at the fourth school bus offense here for grades K to 3. This is an alternative to one days' in-school suspension. It is also available (2 swats) for a third offense on the school bus for grades 4 and 5, but without the ISS alternative. For various offenses in the school itself, elementary students may receive 2 or 3 swats, depending on the offense. CP is not mentioned at the middle or high school levels.
- Iberia R-V School District
At the elementary school, "corporal punishment is an appropriate means of achieving desirable student behavior" and is administered by the principal, with a witness, max. 3 swats per referral. Parents may secure exemption by notifying the school in writing. A tariff is set out, according to which, in general, one day's ISS is equivalent to one swat of the paddle. Thus, for insubordination the minimum penalty is one day's ISS or one swat; for a more serious such offense, 2 days' ISS or two swats, and so on. Where disruption on the school bus is concerned, however, three days' bus suspension equals two swats, four days three swats, etc.
The document also sets out a separate discipline policy for the summer school, where neither ISS nor detention nor "swats" are used.
There is also a handbook for the High School, which makes no mention of CP.
See also this March 2005 news item, which reports that there were 229 paddlings in the district over six years.
- Kennett School District #39
Students in all grades may have their buttocks swatted with a paddle as punishment, with typical safeguards about witnesses and privacy. The Code of conduct is more specific, providing CP as a possible consequence for a first offense of assault or physical sexual harassment, a first or subsequent offense of disrespect, disruption, extortion, false alarms, fighting, public display of affection, theft, possession of tobacco, or truancy, and a first or second (but not third or subsequent) offense of verbal sexual harassment.
See also this Aug 2005 news item, in which the High School principal said "I have no problem with paddling. If you don't want to take paddling, you can go to the AEP (alternative education program)", and this Jan 2006 news item, announcing a clampdown on latecomers: paddling was also thenceforth to be the punishment (with AEP as an option) for every unexcused tardy from the third one in each quarter onwards.
This May 2006 news item suggests that CP is frequent at the High School and confirms that students there normally get a choice between a paddling and time in the AEP.
- Lebanon R-III School District
The School Board policy uses the standard Missouri form of words. At the elementary schools, CP "will be used at the discretion of the principal based on the severity of the problem and past history of offenses". It is mentioned as a consequence for any serious violation, or after referral from the classroom following repeated violation of classroom rules. An unusual provision is that, in addition to paddling, a teacher may administer one swat with the open hand to the buttocks of a student when "immediate corrective action" is deemed necessary.
There is also a Senior High School handbook, which doesn't mention CP; the Junior High School handbook seems not to be on line.
- Lesterville R-IV School District
At the High School, CP is aimed primarily at "chronic offenders" who have been referred to the office five or more times. It is also specifically mentioned as a penalty for excessive tardies, a fourth tardy in one quarter bringing one swat or one day's out-of-school suspension. For each tardy thereafter during the same quarter, the penalty is three swats, or three days' OSS.
The Elementary School uses paddling when "it is felt that the behavior of the child cannot be corrected by any other means", except for the offense of fighting, where CP is a first resort. Parents are notified afterwards, but apparently not necessarily consulted beforehand. Students who refuse to be paddled, or whose parents forbid it, will be suspended; and the document spells out in bold type that, in that event, "the work they miss is recorded as a zero, and is not allowed to be made up" -- clearly intended to be a pretty strong incentive to take the paddling after all.
- McDonald County R-I School District, Anderson
The School Board policy document uses the standard Missouri form of words about swatting the buttocks with a paddle (see Dunklin).
At the Senior High School, "there will be no corporal punishment for tardies" (why not?) but paddling is listed as an option for a range of other offenses, such as disruption, fighting, tobacco and truancy.
The K-8 schools may use CP at the principal's discretion and with parental permission, although it doesn't feature in the list of penalties for various specific offenses, except misbehavior on the school bus, where it is an alternative to being suspended from the bus. As a rather charming novelty, this document is also available in Spanish , where "Application of paddle to the buttocks of the student" comes out as "La aplicación de una tabla de madera a las nalgas del estudiante".
- Monett High School [PDF]
Corporal punishment is mentioned here only for the least serious ("Class IV") offenses, after other means of discipline have failed. It must take the form of swatting the buttocks with a paddle, and should "preferably" be given in private.
- Moniteau County R-VI Schools, Tipton
In addition to standard Missouri language about swatting the buttocks with a paddle, the elementary discipline handbook specifies that CP may be indicated for a first or subsequent offense of fighting, profanity, pornography, inappropriate familiarity, disrespect, alcohol, tobacco, drugs, and misbehavior on the bus, and for a second or subsequent offense of classroom disturbance and truancy.
The student handbook adds the information that it is ultimately for parents to decide when CP is used, but does not seem to explain how this policy is carried into effect.
No handbook for the High School appears to be available as of this writing.
See also this March 2005 illustrated news item, which reports that there were only 173 spankings at Tipton over six years.
- Mountain View - Birch Tree Schools (covers Mountain View, Birch Tree)
Here we have three different documents saying three different things. The pan-district policy document gives standard Missouri wording (swatting the buttocks with a paddle, etc.) and adds that a student may be exempted only where a documented physician's statement is on file stating that CP would be harmful to the student' physical or emotional health. The clear implication is that parental objections to CP on any other grounds are not entertained, but this turns out not to be the case.
The High School handbook (which it seems also covers the Middle School) states, somewhat ambiguously, that CP "may be an option" at the discretion of the principal, who is the only person who will administer it. Also, "A written permission form will be sent home for each infraction" -- which seems to mean that parents get a chance to deny permission after all, despite what it says in the district policy statement.
The handbooks for the elementary schools (identical wording at both) make clear that parental objections are indeed honored, provided they are lodged in writing within ten days of the student's first arrival at the school. There is a list of infractions of varying seriousness. For "level A" offenses (arson, drugs, weapons, threats), the penalty is 2-3 swats or the same number of days' suspension for a first offense, and 3 swats or 3-5 days off for a second offense. Swats are apparently not an option for a third or subsequent violation at level A. At level B (obscenity, tobacco, cheating) the student receives 1-2 swats or 1-2 days' suspension the first time, 2-3 swats or days the second time, and 3 swats or 3-5 days the third time. For the least serious ("level C") sins, the first offense brings a mere 1 swat or day off, the second 1-2 swats or days, and so on. Fighting is listed as a separate category in its own, and apparently does not attract CP. The same applies to misconduct on the school bus, except for a second (but not first, third or subsequent) violation, where the penalty is 1-2 swats and suspension of bus privileges for up to 5 days.
- Nevada R-5 School District [PDF]
In addition to standard Missouri wording, this district says that CP may be "substituted for other disciplinary measures [...] where parents have given prior approval". This is the middle school handbook, but the high school has the same form of words. The elementary handbook doesn't mention punishments at all.
- Pemiscot County R-III School District
Rather more philosophical underpinning to the discipline policy is provided here than is usual in such documents: "We believe youthful citizens do not always know what is best for themselves. They need and want proper direction from adults. Such direction and correction must be firm, fair, and always toward the end of self-discipline. Youth must be motivated to take learning seriously and to concentrate upon becoming disciplined citizens."
Not surprisingly, then, in the district's view paddling can play a major role in helping students to become self-disciplined. Corporal punishment is specified as a first consequence for a wide range of misbehavior, including fighting, extortion, harassment, disruptive or demeaning language or conduct, theft and vandalism, as well as various forms of sexual misconduct, including "display of buttocks and genitals in a public location".
Paddling is available for both first and subsequent offenses of "consensual kissing, fondling or embracing"; defiance of authority; disruptive behavior, and "obscene or vulgar language".
Analysis of a detailed chart of bus violations and available remedies reveals that a paddling may also be administered for each of the following types of bus misconduct: failure to remain seated; refusing to obey the driver; fighting, pushing, or tripping; violation of safety procedures; destruction of property; profanity or unacceptable language; throwing objects on bus or out of bus; hanging out of window; excessive mischief; eating, drinking or littering; being rude or discourteous; and harassment.
- Poplar Bluff School District [PDF]
"It shall be the philosophy [sic] of the Poplar Bluff School District R-I to use corporal punishment as a discipline technique", says this handbook. CP is a penalty for a first offense of disparaging or demeaning language, disrespectful conduct or speech, disruptive speech or conduct, extortion, or fighting, but not, for some reason, for vandalism, theft or public display of affection, among other things. It is never specified as a penalty for a second offense in any of these categories. Typical rules about privacy, witnesses and documentation. There is a maximum of three swats, which shall be applied only to the buttocks. Parents are notified after the event. Pupils who "refuse to submit to corporal punishment" are suspended for up to 10 days in grades 7 through 12, and for up to 5 days in grades K through 6.
See also this Jan 2005 news item, which says that in practice parental consent is obtained beforehand, even though this is not required by the rules. It also reports that levels of CP have fallen. This is consistent with a newsletter from the school district dated August 2004, which said that ISS was thenceforth to be preferred to CP: "We still have the option to swat a child, but it will rarely be used".
See also this March 2005 news item, which reports that 680 paddlings occurred in the district over a two-year period.
- St Joseph School District
CP shall be administered "preferably by swatting the buttocks with a paddle" but "swatting the hands is also acceptable". What, with a wooden paddle? Is that really a good idea?
- Sikeston School District
The School Board policy document on CP uses the standard Missouri form of words about swatting the buttocks with a paddle (see Dunklin).
The Student Code of Conduct goes into more detail about specific offenses, with almost exactly the same provisions as at Kennett (see above), except that an excessive number of referrals to the office, even for more minor offenses, may also be met with a paddling.
Summersville R-II School District
Corporal punishment shall be used only when alternatives have failed. The rules are quite insistent that only the buttocks must be swatted. Unusually, they actually spell out the number of swats given for particular offenses - e.g. Lewd or obscene literature: 2 swats. For certain offenses, such as gambling or profanity, the penalty is 2 swats for the first offense but 3 swats for the second. The same tariff applies to student car-drivers who commit parking violations.
Paddlings may also be given for truancy (2 swats, first offense) and public display of affection (2 swats, second offense). But you get 3 swats even on the first offense for cheating. Three swats appears to be the maximum on any one occasion. After that, it's suspension.
- Webb City R-7 School District (covers Carterville, Webb City) [PDF]
The district policy says only that CP may be used when other methods have failed and that it should be applied by an administrator, with a witness.
At the (senior) High School, students may choose 3 swats with a paddle instead of three hours' detention, but only if they have their parents' consent (surely unnecessary at that age). However, "students may not receive swats more than TWO times in any semester"; and, bizarrely, "students may not receive swats for anything less than a 3-hour detention". It is also specifically provided that students may not receive swats for missing a three-hour detention, so in other words they may have the swats only if they say so in advance of, and not after, the scheduled time for the detention. It's hard to imagine what can be the reasoning behind these restrictions. Swats are also a stated alternative to Saturday/Thursday School for a first offense of misbehavior on the school bus.
At the Junior High School, by contrast, students missing detention for a second and subsequent time are offered the choice of 3 days' suspension or corporal punishment (number of swats not specified). The same applies to any student "accumulating detention assignments in excess of 10 school days beyond the date of assignment". Parents will be notified before corporal punishment is used.
Confirmation that the school does possess at least two paddles, and perhaps by implication that paddling is alive and well there, comes with this page showing pictures of the tables being turned -- the principal gets a birthday spanking!
The Middle School, Carterville and Mark Twain handbooks state merely that corporal punishment is one of the available disciplinary options, and give no further details.
See also this Jan 2005 news item, which says that there were 345 paddlings in 2000, many of them at high school students' request.
- These Missouri schools or districts also state that they use corporal punishment, but give few or no details other than, in many cases, the standard Missouri wording about privacy, witnesses, and swatting the buttocks with a paddle:
Billings R-IV School District [DOC] (and see also this Jan 2005 news item, which says that the paddle at the elementary school is made of walnut and is a foot long)
Brookfield High School [PDF]
Crane R-III School District
Crawford County R-II Schools, Cuba
Forsyth R-III School District [PDF]
Jefferson City Public Schools [PDF] (covers Holts Summit, Jefferson City) (and see also this March 2005 item)
Joplin R-VIII School District [PDF]
Knob Noster R-VIII School District [PDF] (and see also this Nov 2005 news item)
Lexington R-V School District
Liberty Public Schools [PDF]
Maysville High School (Alternative link)
Mexico School District No. 59 [PDF]
North East Nodaway Elementary School, Parnell
North East Nodaway High School, Ravenwood
Neosho School District
Palmyra Middle School
Stanberry R-II School District [DOC] (at the high school, but apparently not at the elementary school)
Wellington-Napoleon R-9 School District, [PDF] Wellington
- These Missouri public schools or school districts are also known to use corporal punishment, but did not appear to say so on line when I last checked, or are not on line at all:
Bradleyville School District - see this Jan 2005 news item
Buffalo School District - see this Jan 2005 news item
Chadwick School District - see this Jan 2005 news item
Delta High School, Delta - see this Nov 2005 news item
Gainesville R-V School District - see this Jan 2005 news item
Galena R-II School District - see this Jan 2005 news item
Jasper Elementary School, Jasper - see this Nov 2005 news item
Scott City R-1 Public Schools - see this Nov 2005 news item
Stockton School District - see this Jan 2005 news item
Twin Rivers School District - see this Sep 2004 news item
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