Corpun file 7262

Times Record, Troy, N.Y., 6 March 1981

Mechanicville school board to drop corporal punishment

By Brian Nearing
Staff Reporter

MECHANICVILLE -- The portion of the Mechanicville school code allowing the use of corporal punishment was abolished by a unanimous vote of the board of education.

The deleted section -- Article 523 -- had allowed for the use of physical punishment in the "good judgement" of the teacher as long as an adult witness was present.

"We will not have any form of corporal punishment at all," said Anthony Cocozzo, superintendent of the district. "We will confer with our attorney and draw up a new policy. I have no idea at this time how it will be worded."

The old section was the only portion of the school policy which outlined the manner in which students could be physically punished or restrained.

Several teachers have expressed to the board the necessity of a policy allowing for the physical restraint of unruly students in cases of self-defense, possibly physical injury to another student or protection of property.