Missouri school district reinstates spanking students as ‘last resort’ – The Guardian US

A third-party survey identified student behavior and discipline issues as a high concern for Cassville schools, and corporal punishment was one of the ideas generated. A Missouri school district has decided to reinstate corporal punishment in its classrooms after the survey revealed that parents wanted additional discipline.

The Cassville school board approved a policy that allows the use of corporal punishment but only when all other alternative means of discipline have failed.

Administrators will implement corporal punishment as a “last resort” if other disciplinary measures do not work. The Cassville School District told news sources that corporal punishment is an opt-in-only option for parents. Missouri Senate Bill 681 will require school districts to notify parents and receive written permission before using corporal punishment.

The only corporal punishment allowed is “swatting the buttocks with a paddle” and the district hopes the possibility of corporal punishment is a deterrent to bad behavior. Corporal punishment will only be administered by a principal and in the presence of a witness. Striking a student on the head or face is not permitted.

In 1977, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled school corporal punishment was constitutional, and Missouri is one of only 19 states that still allow it.

One parent said that she felt that counseling services in school would be more appropriate than corporal punishment for children who act out for varied reasons.

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