You are the principal of a small, suburban high school, which has had some challenges related to
Question:
You are the principal of a small, suburban high school, which has had some challenges related to students' drinking after leaving athletic events, dances, concerts, and so on. You have appointed a faculty member to resurrect a Students Against Drunk Driving chapter, which had fallen apart due to lack of interest. The faculty member is very excited about this opportunity and is doing a fantastic job of recruiting students to join. She has initiated some awareness activities, which have received strong support from the faculty.
It is the spring, and the prom is about a week away. In the past, students have got- ten in automobile accidents as a result of drinking after the prom. To heighten aware- ness, the club sponsor asked you if she could contact a local towing company to place a wrecked car on the front lawn of the school. Signage would warn students that this could happen to them if they drink and drive. You think it is a good idea, and you notify your buildings and grounds staff about this. They have pledged their support to help with the placement of the vehicle and with making sure that the battery and fuel tank have been removed so as not to present a fire hazard.
The next morning, the wrecked car is delivered and placed strategically to attract appropriate attention. The student members have made signage, and the custodians have helped to secure the signs. The display is impressive, and you are proud of the student chapter's work.
Later in the day, you receive a phone call from an irate citizen. She is extremely upset about the wrecked car in front of the school. As you explain the rationale, she be- comes even more upset. Not understanding the root cause of her distress, you probe with questions. Eventually, you discover that a relative of hers had been driving that car when it was struck by a drunk driver. The relative is in the hospital, in stable condition. The upset woman is concerned that others might recognize the car and accuse her relative of being the drunk driver. She does not want the car to be displayed on the school property, and she resents what she interprets as an accusation that her relative was at fault. You assure the woman that you will investigate the situation and get back to her, but she wants the car to be removed immediately.
You contact the towing company and learn that the car had been in an accident two weeks ago. The insurance company totaled it because the damage far exceeded the value of the car. The towing company purchased the car from the insurance company for parts, and prior to stripping it, offered to provide it for the club display. You also learn that the previous owner (the caller's family member) lived in another town about 20 miles away. The accident occurred in that town. There is no connection with your school's town, except that the caller happened to drive by on her way to work.
Although you sympathize with the caller's concerns, the car no longer belongs to her family. There is no allegation or indication that her family member was drinking. The car merely suggests that drinking and driving could result in an accident. It is intended to drive a message home to the students.
- What do the principal do?
- Should the principal call the towing company and have the car removed?
- Should the principal leave the car on the school lawn until after the prom?
- How do the principal respond to the caller?
As principal of this school, what would the principal do? Explain, in bulleted format, a process for handling this challenge, aligned with the following statement: An education leader promotes the success of every student by ensuring management of the organization, operation, and resources for a safe, efficient, and effective learning environment.
South-Western Federal Taxation 2020 Comprehensive
ISBN: 9780357109144
43rd Edition
Authors: David M. Maloney, William A. Raabe, James C. Young, Annette Nellen, William H. Hoffman