Bowers Overturns B-CC Principal’s Decision
Larry Bowers
PHOTO | MCPS
Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) interim superintendent Larry Bowers has decided to allow some Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School (B-CC) students who reportedly consumed alcohol during prom activities to participate in the school’s graduation ceremonies. His decision overrules the principal’s decision on this matter.
Bowers announced his decision in a letter to B-CC senior families dated May 27th.
“My decision was based on the individual circumstances of these cases,” Bowers wrote. “I did not reach this decision lightly, and I support the work that Dr. Donna Redmond-Jones, B-CC parents, and staff are doing to promote student safety and healthy decision making.”
According to Bowers, the Board of Education policy is clear that exclusion from commencement ceremonies may not be included in local school policies regarding disciplinary standards and procedures. He said principals retain the authority to exclude students from participating in commencement ceremonies for cause, on a case-by-case basis.
“After meeting with the students, who received appropriate consequences under our discipline policy, I have determined that they should be allowed to participate in their commencement ceremonies,” Bowers said.
B-CC’s graduation is scheduled for Wednesday, June 1st.
Bethesda magazine reports that Bowers’ decision to overrule the principal’s decision has upset some parents, staff and teachers at the school.
In his May 27 letter to families, Bowers expressed support for the school’s principal.
“I want to be clear that I stand by Dr. Redmond-Jones and the parent, staff and student leadership in their commitment to student safety and well being, and I am asking for the support of all of you in this critical work,” he said. “We need to come together to continue to address the issue of alcohol and and substance abuse in our communities, and I commend Dr. Redmond-Jones for her efforts this year.”
You can read the superintendent’s letter in its entirety, below:
Teachers support B-CC principal with flowers after she’s overruled on graduation punishment https://t.co/VuBw5hjgJr pic.twitter.com/xHwBgbCZOe
— Bethesda Beat (@BethesdaBeat) May 31, 2016
How can you say “principals retain the authority to exclude students from participating in commencement ceremonies for cause, on a case-by-case basis” and then overrule the principal’s decision, especially when students have broken a rule that could have led to the loss of life. Have we not seen this happen with Montgomery County students in the past? How do you teach kids that they must take responsibility for their actions or suffer the consequences for those actions if they know someone is going to give them a pass? These kids not only knew the policy, but they broke the law and for that they get a slap on the wrist! Mr. Bowers, are you serious? Please tell us what was the “appropriate consequences under our discipline policy” that made you decide to let these individuals attend a function with the rest of their classmates who used good judgment, followed the school policy and the law?
Thanks superintendent for setting such a great example by NOT SUPPORTING your teachers when they are trying to discipline students, and THANK YOU Dr. Redmond-Jones for trying to teach kids to be responsible!