Case File

A Case Analysis: Case 14

Highlights of the case:

The principal at Rancho Elementary School appointed Ms. Idleman, a fifth grade teacher at Rancho Elementary School, as an advisor to oversee a committee that would develop the new school plan that would include the districts new zero-tolerance policy. Ms. Idleman just completed a program that qualified her to become a school administrator. Ms. Idleman did not inform the school of a student who brought in a pistol to school. The fifth grade student, Becky Skutter, removed an old hand-gun from a brown paper bag during a presentation in front of her classmates and teacher. Becky informed the class, that her father found it, and he believed it to be a pistol from the 19th century. Ms. Idleman saw the pistol and quietly instructed Becky to place the pistol back into the bag, and informed Becky that the pistol would be returned to her at the end of the day.

Information I know:

• At the end of the presentation, Becky reached into a brown paper bag and removed an old hand-gun that is believed to be dated back to the 19th century.

• Ms. Idleman saw the pistol, and quietly instructed Becky to place the pistol back into the bag.

• Ms. Idleman informed Becky that she would return the pistol at the end of the day.

• Ms. Idleman did, indeed, return the pistol to Becky and Becky received an “A” for the report.

• Recently, the district superintendent and school board have adopted a zero-tolerance policy that applies to all schools within the district.

• The zero-tolerance policy intels truancies from school, weapons of any kind, physical assaults, and verbal/sexual harassment.

• The principal at Rancho Elementary School appointed Ms. Idleman, to oversee a committee that would develop the school plan.

• Ms. Idleman is a perfect candidate to run this committee because she has just completed a program that qualifies her to become a school administrator.

• One of the parents, from...