Corpun file 8769 at www.corpun.com

The Clarion-Ledger, Jackson, Mississippi, 28 April 1990

Pearl school superintendent finds no violation in paddling

By Arnold Lindsay
Clarion-Ledger Staff Writer

PEARL -- Superintendent Bill Dodson said Friday he has investigated and found no basis for a complaint that a teacher used excessive force in paddling a Pearl Junior High School student.

Jeff Cannon, band director at the school, was arrested about 4 p.m. Thursday by Rankin County deputies after Judy Long of Pearl signed an affidavit accusing Cannon of simple assault in the Wednesday paddling of her son, Michael.

"I have looked into this matter thoroughly and I have found no violation of school board policy," Dodson said. "I found it was very much blown out of proportion."

Cannon, 33, of 211 Ponderosa Place, Ridgeland, was released at 4.11 p.m. on a $1,000 recognizance bond.

Dodson said he discussed the paddling incident with Pearl Junior High Principal David Daves, teachers and an assistant band director before determining Cannon acted properly in disciplining three students on Wednesday.

Michael Long and two other boys, who were not named, were disciplined for spinning in a swivel chair, Dodson said.

After the incident was reported to Cannon, he gave the three boys a choice of being paddled by him or the assistant principal, Dodson said. Cannon had all three boys bend over and touch their ankles while he paddled them, the superintendent said.

The affidavit signed by Long said her son suffered "extreme bruises on his buttocks."

"If there were bruises, certainly there was no intent or malice," Dodson said.