Corpun file 8275 at www.corpun.com

San Francisco Chronicle, 13 October 1951

S.F. Teacher Reprimanded For 'Paddling'

School Superintendent Herbert G. Clish has reprimanded a Marina Junior High School teacher of English who admittedly paddled tardy students -- and let students paddle him if he were late to class.

Clish said yesterday there is "no record" that the instructor, Harold Fox, ever got paddled himself. But at least one mother, Mrs. Carrie L. Houlter, 2236 Van Ness avenue, complained to school officials that her son, Albert, 13, a seventh grader, got enough swats to bring out a few welts and a bruise or two.

In addition to warning Fox -- who has, according to Clish, an otherwise "good record" as a teacher -- Clish yesterday sent reminders to all classroom teachers that Board of Education rules ban corporal punishment in schools except when inflicted in "extreme" cases by a principal with an adult witness present.

Clish also ordered the paddled boy transferred to another English class.