Editorial

It’s hard to believe there was a time in which school shootings were

rare. But the 21st Century, thus far, has been different and this week

was a doozy.

It has become obvious there are no simple solutions to school

violence, but board members at the Newport-Mesa Unified School District

are off to a decent start with their zero tolerance policy regarding

bullies.

In many cases, zero tolerance policies can go too far. A

well-intentioned elementary school student can bring his handmade knife

to school for show-and-tell and receive a suspension. The same goes for

“Dennis the Menace,” who would be politically incorrect in today’s

society carrying that slingshot in his back pocket.

Peer pressure can lead children down the wrong path to drugs and

alcohol. Rather than automatically expel such students, suspensions,

support groups and counseling should be sought first.

A zero tolerance policy in those situations often serves as a cop-out

and a quick solution for school officials who wish to clean their hands

of unwanted liabilities. However, schools can’t be blamed for that

desire. Students are individuals and many of them are the victims of

neglect and need special attention. In some cases, only schools can

provide that help.

A zero tolerance policy pertaining to bullies, however, can hit the

spot. When it comes to bullies, we need to focus on their victims, who

receive intentional pain.

Have there always been bullies? Yes. Does that make it right? No. No

one should have the right to inflict pain upon an innocent victim unless

it’s in the midst of a war, where the innocent are unfortunately a tragic

side effect.

At Santee High School near San Diego, Charles Andrew “Andy” Williams,

15, allegedly killed two students and wounded another 13 people. Later,

classmates revealed that Andy was often picked on and failed to stand up

for himself until employing his father’s revolver.

Before this week’s shooting, the Newport-Mesa school board was in the

process of revising its zero tolerance policy to include bullying. Can it

eradicate bullying? That would be highly-doubtful given that students

have to leave campus once the school days ends. But can it save a lot of

students from unnecessary torture? That, of course, is its intention.

Solving the bully problem at school and promoting respect for others

at both home and school are great steps in staving off school violence.

After all, if there were no bullies to harass Andy Williams, it’s

possible the Santee shooting may well have been averted.