Case Analysis: Tolerance Test for Rancho

Case Analysis: Tolerance Test for Rancho

Rancho Elementary School, which is located in the Carterville Unified School District, has the reputation of being the best elementary school in the area. Carterville is a traditional town that values its history and charm. The Rancho Elementary School principal appointed Ms. Idleman to manage the school plan committee and devise the zero-tolerance plan. Ms. Boxer, the assistant principal, attended the meeting and signed off on the final product that was sent home with students. One day, a student who was giving a class presentation brought in her father’s antique handgun to show the students. Instead of reporting the issue, Ms. Idleman confiscated the gun and then gave it back to the student at the end of the school day. A parent became angry at the situation and threatened to contact the superintendent, local media, and other parents.

The Carterville Unified School District’s superintendent and the school board adopted a zero-tolerance policy that all schools must follow. The school principals were given the responsibility to make sure all staff follows this policy. Ms. Idleman, who was responsible for creating and following the Rancho Elementary School’s strict zero-tolerance policy failed to report the incident and follow the school’s weapons protocol.

The principal of Rancho Elementary School was unable to attend the school plan committee meeting. Ms. Boxer, the assistant principal, served on the committee and signed off on the plan without getting the principal’s approval. In order for me to get a full grasp on the situation, I would need to see what the school’s zero-tolerance policy stated and how it would have made Ms. Idleman react to the situation.

There are a few major players in this case study. Ms. Idleman was appointed to oversee a committee designed to develop the school plan. She is also the teacher who failed to report the gun incident. Ms. Boxer is the Rancho Elementary School assistant principal...