Tampabay.com
FEBRUARY 05, 2010

Marion schools reconsider spanking policy

Paddle Corporal punishment has been going out of style in Florida schools lately. Even conservative Okaloosa County has banned spanking in the past year.

Marion's School Board isn't ready to go there, though.

Its split board decided to leave spanking as a discipline option for its principals after a lengthy debate, the Ocala Star-Banner reports. Some principals told the paper that even most of their parents support paddling, while others said there are much better alternatives.

Superintendent Jim Yancey has proposed the ban, calling the use of spanking "risky business."

Heck. We can remember the old days of 2003, when Hillsborough board member Jennifer Faliero proposed bringing paddling back, only to be roundly criticized as backward thinking. Nothing happened.

So what of it? Is corporal punishment needed? Or neanderthal?

(Image from Dallas Observer)

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Gradebook features education articles and insights on schools in Florida, focusing on Tampa Bay area schools. What's the latest from the Florida Department of Education? How is the FCAT being used to compare Florida schools? What's going in on in Tampa Bay schools? Get an insider's view from the Times education reporting team.

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THE TEAM

Rebecca Catalanello covers Pinellas County schools. E-mail her: rcatalanello@tampabay.com.

Tony Marrero covers Hernando County schools. E-mail him: tmarrero@tampabay.com.

Marlene Sokol covers Hillsborough County schools. E-mail her: sokol@tampabay.com.

Ron Matus covers Pinellas County schools. E-mail him: matus@tampabay.com.

Jeffrey S. Solochek covers Pasco County schools. E-mail him: solochek@tampabay.com.

Kim Wilmath covers the University of South Florida. E-mail her: kwilmath@tampabay.com.

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