Farmington Mother Seeks Policy Change For Self-Defense

FARMINGTON — A Farmington parent asked the School Board last week to review its policy for fighting on campus so that students are not suspended for defending themselves from attacks from others.

Maggie Jones said her daughter, a 10th-grader at Farmington High School, was attacked by a girl in the hallway and hit 10 times in and around her face, resulting in bumps, bruises and a broken nose. Her daughter finally defended herself by hitting the girl, Jones said.

A call then came from the school that Jones’ daughter would be suspended three days for fighting in school. What upset her, Jones said, was that she was told the suspension was automatic for anyone who fights in school, whether they start the fight or respond in self-defense.

“If my daughter has no right to defend herself, what does she have the right to do?” Jones asked the day after the Sept. 25 board meeting. “Out of school suspension should be a last resort.”

She said she disagreed with the interpretation of the school policy that zero tolerance applies to all

parties involved in a fight.

The High School’s handbook lists certain student behaviors that are unacceptable and prohibited by the School Board. One of the behaviors listed is “willfully and intentionally assaulting or threatening to assault or physically abusing any student or school employee.”

In another section, the handbook states that administrators will strive to find ways to keep students in school, but there will be instances that require the removal of a student from school. School principals or their designees are authorized to suspend students for disciplinary reasons for prohibited behavior for a period not to exceed

10 days.

Jones said she presented her concerns not as a personal attack on anyone but as a request for the board to review the policy and possibly put in a statement that students will not be penalized for defending themselves when they are struck or punched by another student.

She also told board members about a petition she initiated on Change. org, requesting students be allowed to protect themselves without ramifications. The online petition has been signed by 600 people, Jones said.

Jon Purifoy, High School principal, could not comment on the specific incident because a student is involved, but said administrators look at all the evidence when determining discipline for prohibited behavior.

“When two kids get in a fight, we use what evidence we can collect,” Purifoy said. “We go through the evidence thoroughly and, at that point in time, determine what needs to take place.”

He said each incident is taken on a case-by-case basis.

Jones said she was appreciative of the response she received from School Board members.

“I do feel they will try and make it right for all kids,” Jones said.

Board President Jeff Oxford said the School Board will consider Jones’ request and there would be discussion about the mother’s concerns and about the policy.

“The gist of the policy is that there’s no fighting on school grounds, whether you are the instigator or defending yourself,” Oxford said, noting the policy falls in line with other schools in the state.

“I told her I appreciated her bringing her concerns to our attention,” Oxford said. “We want to make sure the policies we have are fair for everyone.”

Oxford described the school’s policies as a living document and said it’s not a “big deal” to go back and look at them.