WASHINGTON 鈥� After the principal at聽Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School tried to impose a tough punishment on students caught drunk at a school event, the head of the school district has reversed it, igniting conflict among parents.
Weeks after she warned parents and students, BCC principal Donna Redmond-Jones banned six students who were drunk at their May 6 senior prom from the commencement ceremony June 1.
But, in a story , Montgomery County Public Schools Interim Superintendent Larry Bowers rescinded that penalty.
He explained his action that went out Friday evening 鈥� at the start of the Memorial Day weekend.
鈥淗e kind of buried the news. And I just don鈥檛 think that鈥檚 right,鈥� said BCC parent Robert Banach.
鈥淟arry Bowers should be removed immediately from his job and those offending students should not be allowed to participate on June 1,鈥� Banach added.
In the Friday letter, Bowers said he still supports first-year BCC principal Redmond-Jones. But he said her blanket commencement ban policy violates district policy, which he outlined: 鈥淭he exclusion from commencement ceremonies may not be included in local school policies regarding disciplinary standards and procedures.鈥�
Bowers鈥� words of support for Redmond-Jones rang hollow to another parent, Jeanne Rossomme.
鈥淏owers鈥� decision is disrespectful and irresponsible. By reversing the disciplinary actions, Bowers is undermining Dr. Jones鈥� authority,” Rossomme wrote to fellow BCC parents.
鈥淭he clear message for them is that discipline is all bark and no bite. And the demoralizing message for Dr. Jones and her staff is that while they are charged with the responsibility to keep our kids safe, they do not have the authority or support to do what is right,鈥� Rossomme also wrote.
海角精品黑料 left a voicemail message for the MCPS Public Information Officer Derek Turner, but it was not returned.
