Published: August 27, 2008 10:43 am            

Zoeller, Bennett stump on discipline in Clark County

Republican candidates used an appearance Tuesday in Clarksville to plug plans for reinforcing classroom discipline.

Attorney General candidate Greg Zoeller and State Superintendent of Instruction candidate Tony Bennett — both Providence High School graduates — appeared jointly to discuss the measures.

It’s a part of a larger education platform unveiled by Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels earlier this month. Daniels’ plan would seek legal protection for teachers and school staff who act to maintain discipline.

He, too, has also been on the campaign trail this year, seeking a second term.

Zoeller said if he were elected he would make sure the Attorney General’s office provides legal support to teachers and school corporations that are sued for taking disciplinary action against students.

A school board that’s being sued would have to vote to seek help from the attorney general. They also would have to deem that the action taken by the school employee involved in the conflict was appropriate.

Bennett said an example of this would be a fight between students, in which a teacher stepped in to restrain students.

“You want teachers to feel confident that they can restrain a student,” he said.

“Frequently, the student will say, ‘I got roughed up by the teacher.’”

“It’s almost like a policeman being given a wider range of abilities to protect us on the streets,” Zoeller said.

The governor’s proposal is directed at the General Assembly. He asked the body to enact a law providing legal immunity for teachers who act in good faith to preserve order.

Each candidate said having their respective offices support the proposal would be helpful in order for the legislature to make a decision.

“We fully support the governor’s initiative,” Bennett said. “We’ve seen what great discipline does for the climate of good schools.”

Zoeller said the office has a statutory right to defend school corporations in such cases, but it hasn’t been utilized in the past because of budgetary reasons.

Bennett is superintendent of Greater Clark County Schools. He faces democrat Richard Wood and Independent Kevin Brown in November.

Zoeller is chief deputy under Attorney General Steve Carter. He’s up against democratic Indianapolis Attorney Linda Pence in November’s contest.

Zoeller and Bennett spent Tuesday touring the state, making stops in Indianapolis, Terre Haute and Evansville discussing the platform.

The general election is Nov. 4.

        

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