No tolerance for disrespect

Danette Goulet

CORONA DEL MAR -- Administrators at Corona Del Mar High School are fed up

and they’re not going to take it any more.

With the start of the new school year came a new policy at Corona Del Mar

High, one that handles disrespect with “zero tolerance.”

No longer will any form of disrespect, foul language or belligerence be

accepted at school, said Principal Don Martin. Students have been warned

that any show of disrespect to a faculty or staff member is grounds for

immediate suspension, he said.

Under the rules, using obscenities out loud will lead to detention.

Directing obscenities toward a teacher will lead to suspension.

“Enough is enough,” Martin said. “We’re fighting the media and the

freeway road rage where it is acceptable to scream and curse. We may be

out there in the world -- but we’re going to put a stop to it here.”

Corona Del Mar High has rules and regulations governing student conduct,

as do all district schools. But last spring, Martin had to take a step

back to assess the effectiveness of the existing policies when he began

to hear repeated complaints from teachers, supervisors and cafeteria

staff.

“What I began to realize was that kids were treating equipment with

disrespect, speaking back, using inappropriate sign language ... even

being nasty to cafeteria workers if they felt they had waited in line too

long,” Martin said.

Martin first met with a committee of teachers, then with the entire

faculty to inform them he was putting his foot down on the issue and that

he wanted them to do the same.

When the new initiative was brought before the PTA, it responded

enthusiastically, taking an immediate vote to support the policy.

“After he spoke, we realized the thing they were not getting within our

sphere of influence is respect,” said Susan Kramer, PTA co-president. “It

is the biggest problem in schools across the board.”

Letters detailing the issue from Martin and the PTA were then

distributed, asking for parental support.

The policy is in effect while specific guidelines are still being laid

out.

“So far this year, I’m pleased to say we’ve had a couple of incidents of

students being suspended,” Martin said. “Otherwise, everyone has

responded in a very positive way.”

Students know the parameters of what is acceptable and what is not,

Kramer added.

“Students will all retain their due process,” Martin said. “But if you’re

rude, obnoxious or belligerent -- you’re going to pay.”

Newport-Mesa Board of Education president Serene Stokes has commended the

action taken at Corona Del Mar High, but does not believe each district

school should be asked to adopt the policy.

“The key is not to try to dictate from the district offices,” she said,

“but for each school and parent group to decide what they want to work

on.”