Education
Gwinnett school district’s sexual offense punishments too harsh, some say
Tracee Brown sits at the table she homeschools her eighth-grade son after he was expelled for the remainder of the school year, Thursday, February 16, 2017, in Grayson, Ga. STEVE SCHAEFER / SPECIAL TO THE AJC
By Eric Stirgus
Feb 20, 2017Last school year, Gwinnett County’s public school system reported more instances of sexual offenses by students than any district in Georgia, according to state Education Department data.
Gwinnett County officials say they use what they describe as progressive discipline with students to keep classrooms from being disruptive and to protect students.
Some parents and attorneys, though, say the school district’s efforts to punish students for sexual offenses is excessive.
Sexual offenses can include kissing, possessing explicit materials, sexual battery and engaging in sex acts.
Below are the maximum punishments in Gwinnett for some offenses. To read more about the issue, click here.
- kissing: up to a nine-day suspension from school.
- obscene gesture: up to a nine-day suspension from school.
- lewd act self: permanent expulsion.
- sexual battery: permanent expulsion.