By DAVID NICHOL
T-H Staff Writer
When elementary students return to the Forrest City Schools this fall, they will do so without the threat of being paddled.
For better or worse, corporal punishment is no longer an option for elementary kids. It already has been missing from the high school for some time, and was rarely used in the middle grades. Now it's gone altogether.
This is the most significant -- and the most controversial -- change in the student handbooks in Forrest City public schools. It was approved by the school board only on a split vote, and there were strong feelings on both sides.
Assistant Superintendent Dr. Alice Barnes explained the reasoning behind the decision on corporal punishment.
"It basically became a concern of the principals, that the use of corporal punishment was not rendering the results ... of correcting inappropriate behavior," Barnes said. "Therefore they decided, in the best interest of the children and the best interests of the school, that we will not use corporal punishment."
Barnes said that over time, it has become evident that in a disproportionate number of instances, it is the same kids who are paddled.
"Therefore we know that corporal punishment is not working, because we had to continue administering corporal punishment to the same students over and over, time and time again," she said.
Barnes said there has also been litigation surrounding instances of corporal punishment, "and we felt it would be in the best interest of the school district and its staff to eliminate it. There are other ways to deal with inappropriate behavior."
According to Barnes, some of these alternatives include increased parental involvement, one-on-one counseling and "talking to students about why they behaved in the manner in which they did and what they think should be done in order to correct that behavior."
Barnes recognized that some people are concerned over the end of corporal punishment.
"They feel there is no other means of handling inappropriate behavior, and they're wondering what's going to happen when we don't use corporal punishment. Will kids be allowed to continue misbehaving? And my answer to that question is no. Because we will still follow the steps in the handbook."
Those steps include warnings, then contacting parents.
"Whatever those steps in the handbook are, with the exception of corporal punishment, we will still follow that," Barnes said. "And if we get to the point where we feel we need to remove that child, then we will call the parent."
Suspension is a possibility. Barnes said she prefers in-school suspension, because the student is still required to come to school, is expected to keep up academically, and is not allowed to participate in extracurricular activities.
There are some other changes, although not as emotional. Some of these changes follow.
*A student transfer policy is now included. "Based on our accreditation visit from the Department of Education, they wanted to be sure we included a student transfer policy. So we have a policy that was adopted Jan. 12, and now becomes a part of our student handbook."
Under the policy, in-state students who were attending accredited public schools may be accepted at the grade level they are in. Students from non-accredited private schools or home schooled students are given a series of tests to determine their grade placement.
*The homework policy of the elementary schools has been made "a little more specific," according to Barnes. "Last year, they did not give an allotted amount of time. This year, they say homework assignments will be given Monday through Thursday, with no more than 30 minutes per evening."
*The curriculum also contains guidelines for the development of a Smart Core curriculum policy. Barnes said this was required by a law passed in the 2003 legislative session. Students may go through a Smart Core or Common Core.
"Smart Core is a little bit more rigorous than Common Core, but they are all for graduation," said Barnes.
One example would be that Smart Core students would take trigonometry and calculus when Common Core students would be taking algebra and geometry.
Students participate in the Smart Core program unless a parent or guardian waives a student's right to participate.
*Skirts may not exceed three inches above the kneecap. Slits in skirts will be judged at the discretion of the administration.
*Kerchiefs, headbands, ball caps, bandannas (do-rags) and other head coverings are prohibited.
*Personal laptop computers are included in the list of prohibited items.
*Twelfth grade students who score proficient on the End of Course Literacy Exam maybe allowed to go off campus for lunch on Fridays, with parental permission and consent of the principal. Individual privileges shall be revoked at the discretion of the principal.
The name and photo has been released of a man suspected of impersonating a police officer in order to rob unsuspecting travelers at area truckstops and motels.
A warrant has been issued for Curtis L. Murdock Jr., 41, of Malvern, in connection with several robberies.
In each of the incidents, a man police believe to be Murdock has allegedly approached a person and stated that he was a policeman. In some instances, he reportedly showed a badge. In some cases, he also stated that he was investigating drugs. In all the cases, he asked for all the money from the person's wallet, and then drove away.
In St. Francis County, there are six instances, beginning on Dec. 22, 2003 at the Truckstops of America Truckstop at Shell Lake. The next instance was Jan. 2 of this year in the Burger King at the TSA. On Feb. 10, he struck twice, again at the truckstop.
The incidents resumed on June 24, at the Super 8 Motel in Heth, and on June 29 at the Rest Inn at Wheatley.
Murdock is also wanted in connection to similar robberies in Marion, West Memphis, Lonoke and Jacksonville, in which the descriptions of the perpetrator are the same.
Murdock is described as a black male, 5 feet, 11 inches tall, weighing 225 pounds. Murdock is also wanted in Hot Springs County for child support violations, according to police reports.
The staff of the Times-Herald brought home several awards Saturday from the Arkansas Press Association's Better Newspaper News-Editorial Contest.
Contest judges reviewed entries for stories, photos, etc., that were published during 2003.
Kendall Owens received a first place in the General Column division for "Enough is Enough." The judge's comments stated, "This writer put everything on the line, gave plenty of background that helped shape his opinion, identified a problem and proposed a solution."
The Times-Herald also received a first place award for Page One Content. Judges commented on the "solid variety of local news." This is the second time in the past three years that the newspaper has won first place in this division, which recognizes local content.
Staff members received several second place awards. Sports Editor Fred Conley received a second in the Sports Feature division for "Tough Choices" and Managing Editor Tamara Johnson received a second place for headline writing.
Publisher Weston Lewey received a third place in Editorial Writing, and Conley also picked up a third in the Sports Column division.
Several honorable mention awards were received, including David Nichol for Humorous Column, Conley for Photographer's Portfolio, Nichol and Alan Smith for Picture Page and Conley for Sports Page.
Two robberies took place Saturday in Forrest City, with one leading to arrests and the other still under investigation.
At about 1 p.m. Saturday, it was reported that John Brandon Burns of Colt had been robbed of about $15 at the BP station on Broadway. Burns and another man followed the car being driven by the suspects, and then reported the robbery to police.
Two men were later arrested on Ark. Highway 1 south of Wynne. They are Demetrius Brown, 22, of Wynne and Daniel Williams, 21, of Marion. Both are charged with robbery and aggravated assault, both felonies.
There reportedly was a third man, who was dropped off in Forrest City. He is still being sought by police.
The second robbery took place at around 10 p.m. at the Sonic Drive In. Vanessa Myers, an employee, reported that she took some food to a customer, and as she was counting his change, he grabbed the money she was holding. She tried to hold on to the money and he punched her in the face. She received minor injuries. He may have gotten away with up to $50, according to the police report. The robbery is being investigated.
A full schedule of meetings is planned throughout St. Francis County this week.
The Forrest City Civic Center Commission is scheduled to meet at 5 p.m. at the civic center.
At 6 p.m., the St. Francis County Democratic Central Committee will meet at the courthouse, and the Forrest City Airport Commission will meet at the airport.
Two city councils will meet tonight. The Madison City Council will meet at 7 p.m., and the Hughes City Council will meet at 7:30 p.m., at each city's city hall.
On Tuesday, the St. Francis County Quorum Court's budget committee will meet at 6 p.m., at the courthouse. At 7 p.m. the Hughes School Board will meet in the administration building. Also at 7 p.m., the Palestine City Council will meet at city hall, and in Caldwell, the city council will also meet at 7 p.m. at city hall.
The Forrest City Housing Authority Board will meet at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 14.
The filing period for city council positions in several cities begins Thursday, July 15, at the St. Francis County Clerk's office.
Those seeking council positions in Caldwell, Colt, Madison, Palestine and Hughes should file the proper paperwork before the filing deadline of Aug. 4.