Editor:

This regards your article about Toby Chamberlain having his transfer revoked at Skidmore-Tynan High School because he was found with a pocketknife on his person (in Oct. 16 issue). The problem as I see it, and surely your other readers do too, is the fact that Toby’s case received no investigation, as Superintendent Belmarez alleges. Toby was literally kicked out of school immediately by simply having his transfer revoked.

To be kicked out or expelled from school under any legal mumbo jumbo is still a grievous act. The Student Code of Conduct specifically requires for an investigation on the history of the student, as well as an investigation regarding the intent or non-intent involved with the act. None of this was allowed Toby. Adults get a better hearing in our courts. Why not our kids? Both the principal and the superintendent should be sent packing, but the problem does not stop with these incompetents.

It seems like our districts are being allowed wide flexibility in getting rid of any student they so wish. The districts are given little or no overview. For example, your article reports that The Texas Education Agency and the Texas Association of School Boards cannot even agree on whether a transfer can or cannot be revoked during the school year. In the meantime, the student suffers an abusive school policy.

Presently, 80 percent of the Texas prison population are school dropouts. That should give everyone a hint as to how bad the problem really is, and Toby’s case is just the tip of the iceberg.

Mary Rapp