Chapter 10 Taking a Stand
TAKING A STAND
LUCAS
“Lucas, I realize that as a new principal, you want to make an impression. But this, I guarantee you, is not the impression you want to make.”
His posture resembled a man without a care in the world, but inside, he was seething.
Making sure that every muscle in his body relaxed and his face was a smooth mask of indifference was the most difficult thing he’d ever done.
Keeping his mouth from flying off again, like it had with Elyxandre and the students, was even harder.
Superintendent Sealy looked at him, his fingers drumming on his desk. Finally, his boss spoke again. “Far be it from me to tell you how to do your job…”
Correction. Keeping the snort of derision inside at that comment was the hardest thing he’d ever had to do.
“But the punishments you’ve laid down on the students are too harsh. And think of what it will do to our chances against Riverbend when our three best players are missing from the biggest game of their high school careers.”
“I’m thinking of what it will do to our budget line.
I’m thinking of how it will cause parents of the other students to expect that sort of special treatment for their children.
I’m thinking about how our staff will view us as having absolutely no credibility or authority.
I’m thinking about how this will affect the students’ attitude toward their school.
What I’m not thinking about is the outcome of a football game that means nothing in the grand scheme of life. ”
The superintendent leaned back in his fancy leather chair, his fingers threading together over his stomach.
A patronizing smile rested on his face. “Now, we all know that isn’t true.
Research shows that nonacademic experiences in high school have a stronger connection to a student’s success and what lessons they retain for later in life. ”
“Correct. And learning that actions have consequences—sometimes serious ones—is a nonacademic experience. What happens if we don’t hold them accountable now?
I’ll tell you what happens. If we continue to leave kids unaccountable, they learn that they can behave this way later in life.
Then, when they do, they’re not prepared for the ramifications they’ll face that are much harsher than an ISS, OSS, or being asked to clean up their own mess. ”
The superintendent waved him off. “When they’re adults, they’re highly unlikely to run around in the early morning hours, spray-painting their workplaces. They’re kids, Lucas. They’re going to make mistakes.”
Lucas sighed. Was this guy for real? Now his filter was turned off.
“This is a hell of a mistake, Patrick.” Every ounce of sarcasm he could possibly muster was in the man’s name.
“Ten thousand dollars’ worth, when all is said and done.
How do you think the taxpayers will react when the story gets out that we were soft on students who destroyed property they own? ”
“‘Destroyed’ is a strong word. They wouldn’t have any idea how much it costs to repair some of their antics.”
“So ignorance is now an acceptable excuse for doing something that they should understand is wrong?”
“Now, Lucas, there’s no need to be dramatic about all of this.”
He had to bite the inside of his cheek to keep from raising his voice. The man was never going to see eye to eye with him.
“Superintendent Sealy, with all due respect, we are not going to view this the same way. I realize that Ryker’s involvement in the activities makes this all the more awkward—”
“Yes, that is another issue we need to address. I’ve fielded several angry phone calls today.
Coach Howard. Board members. Parents of other team members.
All are concerned that these punishments are going to keep them from a rite of passage in a student’s senior year.
They really are going to lose a lot of the perks this year that this event entails.
Today, it feels like all I’ve discussed is the suspension of these three football players and several members of our homecoming court.
“Instead of them serving their punishments this week, I think it would be best if you moved them to the week following homecoming, and we reduce it to the one day out-of-school suspension they’re serving today.
As for the tickets and court dates, those are unnecessary.
The school can cover the cost of the repairs, and that keeps the lovely Officer Hookstead from having to waste her time documenting and issuing the citations.
I think the students have gone through enough already. ”
He’d had enough. “No, sir, it’s not enough, and the students have not gone through enough to understand the level of damage they’ve caused.
” He thought of Kennedy, her tear-streaked face.
Of Judah’s sincere concern and fear for her well-being.
“We are looking at each student on a case-by-case basis and will be issuing formal in-school and out-of-school suspensions, as well as citations and cleanup duties, based on the activities each student actually took part in. If you or the school board do not like those assessments, you can address them formally, per the employee handbook’s policies on grievances.
I will happily stand up to defend any decision I make. ”
“And will your son be among those students punished?”
What the fuck?
“My son was not a part of the raid on the school.”
“I was told that he was there. In fact, I was informed that it was your son’s idea to spray-paint the theatre loading door.”
Lucas stood and buttoned his jacket. “Ryker told you that?”
Sealy’s chin tipped up defensively. “Actually, no. That information came from an email tip.”
“That’s interesting. Because at the time stamped on the video showing the door being spray-painted, my son was at home studying for a math test. And I have photo evidence to prove it.
So why anyone would say that, I have no idea, but it is interesting that someone would throw him under the bus in that manner.
” He turned and walked to the door, opened it, and left the superintendent’s office to head back to his own.