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www.corpun.com   :  Regulations   :  Current school handbooks -- page 4

Corporal punishment regulations of individual schools or school districts --
External links to present-day school handbooks

With personal comments by C. Farrell

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    NEW MEXICO: public schools

  • Alamogordo Public Schools [PDF] (New URL) Corporal punishment is very tightly regulated here. First there must be a "rudimentary hearing". Then, the paddling must be delivered in the principal's office by "an administrative authority that has been trained in the administration of paddlings", a very sound policy in my view, but which one rarely sees spelled out thus. (If all educators realised that administering CP is a skilled task for which training is necessary, there would be no "paddlings gone wrong" stories for anti-CP agitators to use as ammunition.)
        The paddle must be 20 inches long, 3 in. wide and ½ in. thick, free of cracks and splinters, and is to be applied to the buttocks. Rules about witnesses and record-keeping. Ordinary teachers and coaches are not allowed to use any CP at all, nor any other kind of physical discipline.
        There is an unusually low maximum of one paddle swat per infraction per day. Parents may "veto or reinstate the use of CP for their child during the academic year".
        The High School handbook makes clear that paddling is a disciplinary option, but only with explicit parental permission in each separate case: "If parent cannot be reached, corporal punishment will not be an alternative". It also expressly stipulates, which the pan-district policy statement does not, that the witness is to be of the same sex as the student being punished.
        See also this July 2004 news item reporting that there were 155 paddlings in the district in one year.

  • Animas Public Schools
    The only form of CP allowed here is with a wooden paddle applied in the Principal's office to "the gluteus maximus". In the case of a female student, a female teacher must be present. There must anyway be a witness, and also written authorization from parents, in the absence of which the student must be suspended instead.

  • Aztec Municipal Schools, Aztec
    The rules have changed here. There used to be two different paddles - a round one and a straight one. Dimensions for both kinds were given, but there was no clue as to how it is decided which one to use. Perhaps the round one was for girls. The new version makes no mention of two paddles, but still specifies that the paddle must be smoothly sanded and have no cracks or holes. It must be administered to the buttocks, and no more than three swats shall be given for any one infraction or in any one day. An interesting rule is that CP shall not be administered "if it requires holding a student or struggling with a student". Also, "while recognizing that corporal punishment may sometimes result in redness or bruising to the affected area, it should not be administered with the intent of producing bruises, cuts or more serious injury". There are rules about privacy, record-keeping and witnesses. The person administering the spanking must not have been involved in the incident giving rise to it. Parents may veto CP in writing. See also on this separate page a form entitled "Notice of corporal punishment", to be signed by the person administering it.

  • Capitan Municipal Schools At the high and middle schools, corporal punishment is one of several possible consequences for disruptive behavior. It is used only with written authority from parents. A wooden paddle, supplied by the school, is administered to the "gluteus maximus" in the principal's office. When a girl is paddled, a female staff member must be present.
        CP at the Elementary School may only be given by the principal. It is particularly mentioned for a third or subsequent infraction at Level 3 (verbal abuse, tobacco, bullying) as an alternative to ISS or OSS, but it may also be applied for any infraction that warrants suspension. Parents who refuse permission for spanking must come to the school and take their child home for a set number of days.
        At the Middle School, paddling is always accompanied by a parent conference. It is particularly mentioned as a punishment for a first or second offense at Level 2, 3 or 4, but not at Levels 1 (most trivial) or 5 (most serious). CP may also be used for academic dishonesty.


    NEW YORK: private schools

  • Leptondale Christian Academy, Newburgh
    This school has a very sneaky way of saying it uses corporal punishment: "parents must be willing to put their children under whatever discipline may be deemed necessary" but to find out what this might include you have to look up the Bible, Proverbs 13:24 (He who withholds the rod hateth his son, etc.).


    NORTH CAROLINA: private schools

  • Cary Christian School, Cary [PDF]
    This school believes in the "biblical principle" of "swift and painful punishment". An office visit is automatic for certain offenses such as dishonesty and fighting, and may bring "a spanking" (no details supplied). In the latest version, the handbook now says that spanking is for boys only. See also this November 2002 newsletter page, which describes spanking as "rare".

  • These North Carolina private schools also state that they use corporal punishment, but give few or no details:

    Fayetteville Christian School (elementary grades only) [PDF]
    Wilson Christian Academy, Wilson (Elementary only - to be administered by parents) [PDF]


    NORTH CAROLINA: public schools

  • Columbus County Schools (covers Cerro Gordo, Chadbourn, Delco, Evergreen, Fair Bluff, Hallsboro, Lake Waccamaw, Nakina, Reigelwood, Tabor City, Whiteville) [PDF] updated
    The Personnel Guidebook says that, although CP is not encouraged, principals and teachers have the right to administer it. The punishment must be applied "on the buttocks by hand or paddle". Usual rules about witnesses and record-keeping. It must be administered in private, "preferably in the administrative offices of the school", and not in anger.
        See also this March 2006 news item, and this this March 2010 follow-up (with video clip).

  • Davidson County Schools, Lexington [PDF]
    CP here is to be used only after other means have been tried, with typical rules about privacy, witnesses and documentation. Pupils must not be struck on the face or head, or with any object with a sharp point or edge.

  • Duplin County Schools (covers Albertson, Beulaville, Calypso, Chinquapin, Kenansville, Rose Hill, Teachey, Warsaw)
    CP is a last resort when other methods have failed, except in the case of serious offenses such as "urinating on others". It must be applied to the student's buttocks only. It should not be administered to a child known to be under treatment for emotional disabilities. The student may be given a choice among alternative punishments. Typical rules about witnesses and parental notification.


  • Graham County Schools, Robbinsville At the elementary school, corporal punishment (no details provided) is a possible penalty in grades K-3 for a third instance of any offense; it is no longer mentioned in the latest version of the handbook for grades 4-6.
        As in quite a lot of school handbooks, CP is listed at the middle and high schools (identical wording at both) as a possible penalty, but does not feature in any of the detailed lists of progressive consequences for particular offenses. This could imply that paddling is an "alternative" at the discretion of the administration, or possibly -- though no hint of this is given -- at the student's option.

  • Haywood County Schools (covers Canton, Clyde, Waynesville) [PDF]
    Only a principal or assistant principal may administer CP. It must not be given in a classroom with other students present. There must be a witness, and parents are informed beforehand. Parental requests not to use CP are honored. There is no information about the modus operandi.
        At Pisgah HS, CP may be used for minor offenses "at student and parent request".
        See also this March 2004 news item.

  • McDowell County Schools (covers Marion, Nebo, Old Fort) (New URL) updated
    In a new policy for the elementary schools, CP is administered only at the choice of the parent or guardian, who shall be provided with "the names of the school officials who will be present for the corporal punishment".
        See also this April 2007 news item, which notes that there were 246 spankings here in school year 2005/06, and this Jan 2008 news item (with video clip) about the paddling of a student at Phoenix Academy.
        This Feb 2008 news item reported that henceforth parents would be consulted about the options on each separate occasion before CP is used.


  • Nash-Rocky Mount Schools (covers Bailey, Battleboro, Nashville, Rocky Mount, Spring Hope) [DOC]
    Corporal punishment here may be used only for violations that are punishable by short-term suspension, on the option of the parent (but evidently not the student). The parent must request it in writing on this form [DOC], and may choose to be present at the infliction. It must be administered by the principal or his designee, and consists of paddling the buttocks a maximum of three times.
        See also this April 2008 news item.

  • Onslow County Board of Education, Jacksonville [PDF]
    Here, corporal punishment shall be administered only on the buttocks and "through the student's customary mode of dress". It should not be excessive or wanton. Both the student and the parent must have been given prior notice that CP may be the result of further misbehavior. Usual stuff about privacy, witnesses and documentation.

  • Robeson County Public Schools, Lumberton
    Corporal punishment here is said to be a last resort. The student body shall be warned beforehand what kind of conduct might result in CP, and the individual student must have been warned that he or she might be paddled in the event of further misbehavior. The paddling must be applied to the buttocks. Typical language about witnesses, and a lot of detail about documentation.
        See also this Oct 2005 news item and follows-up later that same month, and this Feb 2006 follow-up, all arising from a paddling at Rowland Middle School to which a parent took objection.
        And see this April 2007 news item, reporting 297 spankings in the district in year 2005-06.

  • Rockingham County Schools
    Here, corporal punishment shall preferably be given in an administrative office, and at all events without other students present. In a change to the rules, it is no longer described as being a last resort. Parents will be notified afterwards, but there seems to be no requirement that they be consulted beforehand.

  • These North Carolina public schools also state that they use corporal punishment, but give few or no details:

    Burke County Schools, Morganton [PDF] -- and see this April 2007 news item, noting that there were 508 spankings in the district in year 2005-06; see also this March 2010 follow-up (with video clip)
    Caldwell County Schools, Lenoir [PDF] -- and see also this April 2007 news item, noting that there were 94 spankings in the district in year 2005-06
    Gaston County Schools [PDF] new! -- see also this March 2010 news item.
    Wilkes County Schools [PDF] new! -- see also this April 2010 news item.


    OHIO: private schools

  • Delaware Christian School, Delaware, Ohio [PDF]
    Go to "Discipline Policies" starting on page 10. Students will be paddled, with parental consent, for persistent offenses. Typical rules about privacy and witnesses.

  • Summit Christian School, Cuyahoga Falls [DOC]
    "Ultimately, spanking may be the most effective discipline." CP is administered by a principal or administrator, with another staff member as witness, usually either for deliberate disobedience or for hurting another person, and also when other means of correction have failed. Parents are notified after the event and must "sign the discipline agreement before the child can return to class". The student is "counseled as to why his behavior requires spanking".
        The student application form [DOC] requires parents to sign that they invest authority in the school to discipline their child as necessary, including "corporal discipline" at any grade level except pre-K.

  • Zanesville Christian School, Zanesville [PDF]
    At the elementary level, a child who receives 4 tallies in one day or 6 tallies in one week "will be paddled". In practice this means that "back talk" or "direct defiance" will bring about an automatic paddling, since either of these offenses in itself earns 4 tallies. Parents are notified afterwards. In the Junior and Senior High School, three demerits in a day, or five in a week, "will result in a paddling". These guidelines "will be enforced consistently", even in 12th grade. The modus operandi for the paddling is not vouchsafed.


    OKLAHOMA: private schools

  • Community Christian School, Norman [DOC]
    Students here are expected to say "yes sir" and "no sir". Various behavior "will not be tolerated" and one of the consequences is "swats administered to the child's bottom", maximum 3 per day. The principal will administer all spankings, unless parents wish to do it themselves, in which case they must come to the school and apply the swats in the principal's presence.

  • Mingo Valley Christian School, Tulsa
    Each teacher is given freedom to administer an immediate spanking (1 to 3 swats) with a paddle to any child for defiance, continued disobedience, fighting, lying, cheating or stealing. This is done in the principal's office with a witness. Parents will be informed.


    OKLAHOMA: public schools

  • Altus Public Schools [PDF] The school board's discipline policy says (at page 481) that corporal punishment is to be used as a last resort, unless requested by the parent at an earlier stage. It must be administered by the principal or assistant principal. Rules about witnesses and privacy. Parents should be informed in advance if possible. CP is not allowed for infants at pre-K level.
        The High School handbook makes it clear (in two places) that paddling is one of the punishments used there, but gives no further details.

  • Alva Independent Schools [PDF]
    Corporal punishment is given to students whose parents have signed a consent form, and consists of swats with "a wooden paddle to administer with reasonable force to the buttocks of students". Swats are specifically mentioned as a likely penalty for obscenity and profanity. This is the High School handbook, but the elementary and middle school books have identical wording.

  • Antlers High School  (Alternative link)
    Neither this school nor its school board seems to have any handbook or policies on line. The page linked above is the 2005-06 page for Mr Jon Tucker, a teacher at the school, which included this picture of him with his paddle hanging on the wall:

    teacher Jon Tucker with paddle

    For further evidence of paddle usage at Antlers HS, see this April 2003 news item.


  • Bixby Public Schools [PDF]
    This is odd. Corporal punishment is described as "ordinary force (corporal punishment)", which "includes, but is not limited to, spanking or paddling". So what else might it include? We are not told. Normally when schools talk about the use of "force" by staff, they mean things like pulling two fighting students apart, not as punishment but to quell a disturbance or avert some physical crisis. But it can't mean that here, because parents may object to "ordinary force" in writing at the beginning of each school year, and there are rules about witnesses and privacy, which would make no sense in that kind of emergency situation. Also, whatever it may be, it should not be administered more than once per day "regardless of the student's disciplinary action". Clearer thinking and a wholesale rewrite would appear to be called for. Elsewhere, under the rules for the closed campus, the document states that students considered truant "could be subject to corporal punishment or detention".
        See also the corporal punishment exemption statement [PDF] (look for the link under "Enrollment Forms") which parents are to sign if they do not wish their student paddled.

  • Bokoshe Public Independent School District [DOC]  (Alternative link)
    Very detailed and thorough policy - Teachers may administer up to five swats per occasion on "the seat of the pants" with a "finished wooden board not exceeding 26 inches in length, 4 inches in width, and 3/8 of inch in thickness ... The student will be allowed to respectfully give his or her version of the incident." There must be an adult witness of the same sex as the student.

  • Caney Valley Public Schools (covers Ochelata, Oglesby, Ramona, Vera)
    Detailed rules for the administration of paddling, to be applied in the principal's office "on the buttocks region". Parental permission is not required. The document taken as a whole rather gives the impression that corporal punishment is a standard everyday procedure.

  • Commerce Public Schools [PDF] In the case of minor infractions, one warning will be given, and if the misbehaviour continues, "corporal punishment will be used". CP or suspension, without a warning, is the penalty for major infractions, and is specifically mentioned as a consequence for tobacco use. In a change to the rules, no maximum number of swats is now stipulated (previously 3). "Punishment must be applied to the buttocks only."
        Parents wanting their students exempted from paddling must have a written note on file. "Often there are medical or other reasons why a student cannot be paddled. The parent's wishes will be respected." In that event, the offending student must attend alternative education for five days instead.

  • Guymon Public Schools CP, with written parental permission, is available at the Junior High school for a first, second or third violation of any rule. Specifically, it is a possible consequence for the fourth tardy in a nine-week period.
        At the eight elementary schools, there is a maximum of three swats, for "repeated rule violations", with parental permission.
        There is also a senior high school, which currently has no handbook on line.

  • Haworth Public Schools  (Alternative link)
    "It is the policy of the Haworth Board of Education to authorize the administration of corporal punishment as a disciplinary method." Parents who object to this must fill out a form, in which case the student may be suspended. CP is particularly mentioned as a consequence of tobacco use (1st offense). Also, leaving campus without permission or being in the halls without a corridor pass, or unexcused tardies, "will result in a paddling and/or detention". Furthermore, "Any student caught behind the gym or auditorium without a valid reason(s) or in a vehicle during school hours will be subject to a paddling and/or suspension" -- an additional use of CP since earlier years' versions of the handbook, when this offense merited suspension only. The penalties for tobacco use have also been adjusted, so that a first tobacco offense may now be punished with a paddling.
        Unusually, it is specified that students may be spanked in each other's presence if they "are involved in the same disciplinary action".

  • Heavener Public Schools The elementary school handbook states merely that CP is a possible consequence of misbehavior. More detail at the High School: corporal punishment is available here for a first (but not subsequent) tobacco offense -- "three pops" or one day in Saturday school. It is also an alternative for other minor crimes at the rate of one day's detention or two swats, two swats or one day's ISS, three swats or two days' ISS, and three swats or one day's suspension. I assume that a swat is the same thing as a pop.
        The High School handbook, but not the elementary school one, includes a form on which parents may ask that CP not be used on their child. There is also a Middle School, but it doesn't appear to have a handbook.

  • Lomega High School Student Handbook
    This is another school whose rules lay down a maximum of three strokes on any school day, recently changed from "for any one offense". CP is listed as the FIRST of the forms of discipline that will be employed. None of that "last resort" stuff here. "The swats will be given with reasonable force with a wooden paddle on the buttocks of the student".

  • Owasso Public Schools [PDF]
    Here, "punishment must be applied to the buttocks only", with a witness. This document is for the elementary schools; the High School has a separate handbook, which makes no mention of CP.
        There must be parental approval for spanking, according to this March 2009 news item.

  • Texhoma Public Schools
    Here there are 19 kinds of punishment, each with a code number. Corporal punishment (no details given) is number 9, and may be used on the second and third violations for Level I and Level II offenses, but on the first violation for Level III offenses (the most serious).


  • These Oklahoma public schools or school districts also state that they use corporal punishment, but give few or no details:
    Little Axe Public School System, Norman [DOC]
    Vian Public Schools [PDF] and see also this Sep 2007 news item

  • These Oklahoma schools or districts are known to use corporal punishment, but did not appear to say so on line when I last checked, or are not on line at all:

    Braggs Public Schools - see this Oct 2007 news item
    Briggs Public School - see this Nov 2005 news item
    Canadian Public Schools, Canadian (confusingly, this is actually the name of a town in Oklahoma) - see this Feb 2005 news item
    Clayton Public Schools - see this Oct 2003 news item
    McLish Middle School (Stonewall school district) - see this Nov 2008 news item
    Ninnekah High School - see this April 2004 news item
    Peggs Schools - see this Nov 2005 news item
    Roland Public Schools - see this Sep 2007 news item
    Tahlequah Public Schools - see news items from Dec 2004 and Nov 2005 and Oct 2007
    Tecumseh Public Schools - see this Aug 2003 news item
    Tenkiller Public School - see this Nov 2005 news item


    SOUTH CAROLINA: private schools

  • Calvary Christian School, Myrtle Beach (New URL)
    At stage 8 of the discipline ladder, parents must come to the school to administer corporal punishment.

  • Ebenezer Academy, Travelers Rest
    "As the final step in a discipline process, we reluctantly use corporal discipline (spanking). We encourage parents to attend any such discipline session that is needed. Parents must be willing for their child to be disciplined in this way in order for them to be a student at the Academy."

  • Northside Christian School, Charleston
    Corporal punishment (no details supplied) is now used only in the elementary school, and not at secondary level, where there is a demerit points system instead. See also the Application for admission [PDF], in which the parent gives the school authority for discipline. Parents will be contacted first, and may come to the school to administer the paddling, if they so prefer.

  • Sumter Christian School, Sumter [PDF]
    Corporal punishment (no details provided) is one method of discipline up to and including 5th grade. Parents are informed if their child is paddled. At higher grades there is a demerit system, which makes no specific mention of CP.


    SOUTH CAROLINA: public schools

  • Abbeville County School District [PDF]
    Students here "have a right ... to fair and reasonable physical discipline". Parents submit a form to say whether they wish CP used or not. The paddling must be administered by the principal, assistant principal or designee, who is the same sex as the student. CP is particularly mentioned at elementary level for fighting, threats, abusive language.
        See also this May 2009 article in Newsweek about John C. Calhoun Elementary School, a failing school which was turned around when a new principal revived the use of spanking.

  • Anderson School District One, Williamston At Cedar Grove Elementary, CP "occasionally must be used" but only as a last resort.
        At Palmetto Elementary, "paddling" is listed as a possible consequence for inappropriate behavior.
        The link for Palmetto High is the Sep 2008 issue of its magazine, which contains an article describing the modus operandi for getting spanked in the office. "Mr Kelly does it for the guys, but if a girl is getting a paddling, Dr Gary will take care of it." It makes clear that CP is a always choice for the student and "you are not forced to take a paddling".
        Powdersville Elementary and Middle schools merely mention that CP is one possible result of misbehavior.
        At West Pelzer, corporal punishment is used but only with parental permission.

  • Georgetown County School District (covers Andrews, Georgetown, Hemingway, Pawleys Island)
    This district now uses CP only at the elementary level. Written parental consent must be on file. CP must be inflicted in an administrative office, with at least one witness.

  • Lexington County School District 3
    CP here is authorized for grades K to 8, but only for a "serious breach of conduct". The principal must agree to it. Rules about privacy and witnesses.

  • Ware Shoals School District 51 [PDF] (covers Ware Shoals)
    There was previously doubt as to whether seniors could be spanked here, but this High School handbook now makes clear that corporal punishment (no details provided) is available in grades K-12 for Level I infractions ("disorderly conduct"). It is not mentioned for more serious offenses.

  • These South Carolina public schools are also known to use corporal punishment, but did not appear to say so on line when I last checked, or are not on line at all:

    Clay County Schools, Hayesville -- see this March 2004 news item
    Gaston County Schools -- see this Feb 2005 news item
    Newton Conover City Schools -- see this Feb 2005 news item

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USA, States C-K
USA, States L-M
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