Hazing Investigation

Ah, another day...another investigation. I wonder if this investigation was as thorough as the investigation involving the female teacher from Fleming Island? If the hazing was a "major" incident, then what was the indiscrepancy between a teacher and a student?

Inquiry minds want to know.

Something is very wrong at that school, too many significant issues in such a short amount of time. 

My best friends son attends that school and is on both the football and wrestling teams and he was not involved in the incident or anywhere near it.  She's given me her accounting of what she's heard but I'll not repeat it here since it is "hearsay" except that one of the boys involved is the son of a man who at this time is going to run for Clay County Sherriff. It is her opinion that he would be the worst thing to happen to Clay County in a long time if elected.

I think to announce the wrestling team is suspended from the wrestling season and then turn around and change it to less then a 30 suspension in less then a week is inconsistent at best. Mean what you say and say what you mean.  Team sports like military training in it's essence is supposed to be like the Three Muskateer motto.  "one for all and all for one" peer pressure from those who pay the price for something they had no involvement in keeps everyone in line and working towards a common goal.  Lifting that suspension prevents that lesson from being learned.

The act of rubbing someones face in anothers naked butt to me is nearly crimminal.  It exposes the victim to all sorts of possible disease, infection and illness and I can't believe those boys have not been expelled from school for the rest of the year and sent to Bannerman.  I know of kids who were expelled and sent there for far less then what these boys have done.  Remember that there have been people with AIDS arrested for knowingly exposing someone else to it by spitting on them, not disclosing it for medical treatment and having sex without disclosure.  It's not the same thing but it's not far from it either when you consider this student was also exposed to who knows what that could make them ill.  

Like I said, something is very wrong at that school and it appears the Superintendent is part of the problem.  

The investigations in Clay county are just about all the same no matter what branch of government you deal with.  A smack on the hand, and back to business as usual.

A teacher who is given a reference that will get them a job in another county, after resigning in Clay, and being the topic of a blistering Folio Weekly article, is a good example of how we do business in Clay.

It always seems like FIHS is in the news for something.  Why not change the name to Fleming Island Senior High and get a FISH eye view of all their shenanigans.  I am beginning to wonder if the administration can rein in the student body, or even if they want to.  

I am sure the writer for the tabloid magazine from Jacksonville is all over this since it has Mr. Ward involved.  It is very interesting. During my high school years I was on the wrestling team and we had a few initiations but nothing like this.

1006.63  hazing prohibited.--

 (1)  As used in this section, "hazing" means any action or situation that recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for purposes including, but not limited to, initiation or admission into or affiliation with any organization operating under the sanction of a postsecondary institution. "hazing" includes, but is not limited to, pressuring or coercing the student into violating state or federal law, any brutality of a physical nature, such as whipping, beating, branding, exposure to the elements, forced consumption of any food, liquor, drug, or other substance, or other forced physical activity that could adversely affect the physical health or safety of the student, and also includes any activity that would subject the student to extreme mental stress, such as sleep deprivation, forced exclusion from social contact, forced conduct that could result in extreme embarrassment, or other forced activity that could adversely affect the mental health or dignity of the student. hazing does not include customary athletic events or other similar contests or competitions or any activity or conduct that furthers a legal and legitimate objective.

(2)  A person commits hazing, a third degree felony, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083, when he or she intentionally or recklessly commits any act of hazing as defined in subsection (1) upon another person who is a member of or an applicant to any type of student organization and the hazing results in serious bodily injury or death of such other person.

(3)  A person commits hazing, a first degree misdemeanor, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083, when he or she intentionally or recklessly commits any act of hazing as defined in subsection (1) upon another person who is a member of or an applicant to any type of student organization and the hazing creates a substantial risk of physical injury or death to such other person.

(4)  As a condition of any sentence imposed pursuant to subsection (2) or subsection (3), the court shall order the defendant to attend and complete a 4-hour hazing education course and may also impose a condition of drug or alcohol probation.

(5)  It is not a defense to a charge of hazing that: (a)  The consent of the victim had been obtained; (b)  The conduct or activity that resulted in the death or injury of a person was not part of an official organizational event or was not otherwise sanctioned or approved by the organization; or (c)  The conduct or activity that resulted in death or injury of the person was not done as a condition of membership to an organization.

(6)  This section shall not be construed to preclude prosecution for a more general offense resulting from the same criminal transaction or episode.

(7)  Public and nonpublic postsecondary educational institutions whose students receive state student financial assistance must adopt a written antihazing policy and under such policy must adopt rules prohibiting students or other persons associated with any student organization from engaging in hazing.

(8)  Public and nonpublic postsecondary educational institutions must provide a program for the enforcement of such rules and must adopt appropriate penalties for violations of such rules, to be administered by the person at the institution responsible for the sanctioning of such organizations. (a)  Such penalties at community colleges and state universities may include the imposition of fines; the withholding of diplomas or transcripts pending compliance with the rules or pending payment of fines; and the imposition of probation, suspension, or dismissal. (b)  In the case of an organization at a community college or state university that authorizes hazing in blatant disregard of such rules, penalties may also include rescission of permission for that organization to operate on campus property or to otherwise operate under the sanction of the institution. (c)  All penalties imposed under the authority of this subsection shall be in addition to any penalty imposed for violation of any of the criminal laws of this state or for violation of any other rule of the institution to which the violator may be subject.

(9)  Rules adopted pursuant hereto shall apply to acts conducted on or off campus whenever such acts are deemed to constitute hazing.

(10)  Upon approval of the antihazing policy of a community college or state university and of the rules and penalties adopted pursuant thereto, the institution shall provide a copy of such policy, rules, and penalties to each student enrolled in that institution and shall require the inclusion of such policy, rules, and penalties in the bylaws of every organization operating under the sanction of the institution.  

I recall the FS on hazing.  Were the police even involved at FIHS? 

Could you look at this Statute again? 

The way I read it the reference to hazing falls under PUBLIC POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION.  I believe that means community college, universities, trades schools, etc.  I could definitely be mistaken though.

If the police weren't consulted when Fleming Island High School's own internal investigation concluded that a teacher had been having sex with a student (or more appropriately when rumors about it first began to spread), I can't imagine the folks in charge there thinking this would warrant attention from law enforcement - if the law applies to high schools and not just postsecondary schools.

And if not, could anyone explain why college students deserve protection from hazing, but younger students don't?

Michael S. Mann

Ok, I found it.  The Statute number is different than that posted (1006.63). 

It is actually 1006.135.

http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=Ch1006/SEC135.HTM&Title=->2007->Ch1006->Section%20135#1006.135

Thanks for saving me the time to look that up, Read44.  Now, of course, the same question that was asked after the teacher-student sex incident:

Why are the administration of Fleming Island High School, School Superintendent David Owens and the School Board apparently ignoring the law and substituting their own punishment (or lack thereof in the case of the teacher)?

Michael S. Mann

Mike, my concern would be there are two different standards involved here. One standard for students because it's easier to make a statement about what is and isn't inappropriate behavior and, another standard for teachers and administrators. It's the old "Do as I say, not as I do" autocracy. Or maybe a "Kiss don't tell" mentality among certain faculty. I don't know that's what's happening but it's my perception.

That type of inconsistency does start at the top and filter down. Mr. Owens should be very concerned if even one person believes this is true of his school system.

I agree with Miss Marsha. I believe the program should have been pulled the rest of the season. I'm sure there was pressure from coaches, parents and students but again, using this as an example would demonstrate to the rest of the high schools in the county that hazing won't be tolerated.

I don't know anymore about the hazing incident that what appeared in My Clay Sun, and with that limited knowledge I certainly would be uncomfortable calling for the suspension of an entire athletic team for a season.

By the time kids are in high school, they have already been taught that adults practice the old "Do as I say, not as I do" routine to cover a multitude of life's inconsistencies.  I don't think them hearing it at Fleming Island High School is going to be a turning point in any of their young lives, or even be more than a minor annoyance to the vast majority of them.

However, public officials who feel free to substitude their own judgment in the place of existing law is a problem.  That's the kind of thing that can lead to the kind of problems we've seen in Clay County government too many times before.

Michael S. Mann

OneMann,

Of course the administration of FIHS, Superintendent Owens, and school board members ignore the law or substitute their own punishment. We do not hold them to a high standard themselves and continue to re-elect them year after year, even if they are no shows at the school board monthly meetings.

It is illegal to engage in harassment. Period. What's worse, is to ignore it, give a slap on the wrist with a couple of days suspension. We have the better alternative of a lengthy stay at Bannerman, at the very least.

The Buck doesn't stop with the students. ( It is possible they didn't know that what they did was illegal, but surely they did know that decent human beings do not do that to others.) The buck stops with Ward, Owens, and the school board. Owens will always defend good buddy Ward, and 4 school board members have been in the job for so long, they are part of the problem. (Wayne Bolla has only served one term, but 4 board members and Owens have had lengthy tenures.)

The buck also stops with us, the voters. Let's remember that we have choices. Owens and board members should not get an automatic pass.

OneMann,

I guess you recognized my mistake in my reply?? Paragraph 2 --Should have been--- "It is illegal to engage in HAZING, not harassment...

God! I hate getting old!

I'm with pioneer. Bannerman is an alternative. If the evidence points toward a minor annoyance to ban a wrestling season, then so be it. I suspect there are superintendents in the State of Florida who would make the call.

NCAA college teams are held to extremely high standards (in terms of athlete contact, recruiting and ethics). Why should K-12 be held any differently? If the program fails basic ethical standards then suspend it. I'm sure the coaches would approach the season differently going forward.

Again, I agree with pioneer, no one should get an automatic pass to an elected position. Everyone needs to be challenged and earn that privilege.

Karen Lake

Just giving an opinion here, but I am willing to bet it was all settled in the offices of FIHS.  From the grape vine, I hear that the hazing video on You Tube video was what led to the action taken.  A kid knows about the video, a parent finds out, the parent makes a call and says you need to see this, but don't get the kids in trouble, and thar' she blows.  Were the kids wrong, you bet, was the victim upset, yes. well, probably sorta.  They don't want to cause their team mates problems.  I would imagine all the students just wanted the whole issue to go away. I suspect everyone involved has learned a lesson.  The problem is that a video was supposedly posted on You Tube.  If that is the case, the proverbial cat is out of the bag.  How many people saw it?  Hundreds I bet!  The grapevine of students is 100% fiber optic and blazingly fast.  I would imagine within hours numerous students had viewed the video, and the number grew exponentially by the hour.

So, with the cat out of the bag, something had to be done.  I suspect there was no legal action taken because no one claimed to be a victim, and a law can't be used to prosecute anyone unless there is a victim.  Well at least one who will co-operate.

I may be totally off the wall here, and I admit my idea is speculation, but with human nature the way it is, I bet I am not far from the truth.

Islander,

You hit the nail on the head. Like I posted earlier stay tuned part 2 is coming.

The humiliation did not stay in a room with a few people. Things went haywire when it was posted on the web for the world to see.

Marsha - you were right.  One of the students involved in the hazing incident is the son of a candidate for Clay Sherrif.  He also has a brother who was involved in the hazing incident.  Another student involved is the son of a senior law enforcement officer.

Granted there are problems that need to be addressed about the coaches, administration, etc.  Something that concerns me is the fact that two sets of parents (of the students referenced above) enrolled their sons in a private school in Jacksonville the day after the suspensions were handed down.  These two boys did not miss one day of school and they are both wrestling.  So what kind of message is that sending to these kids?  No wonder they are not smart enough NOT to post an incriminating video online.

Marsha you stated in your above post a comment one of your friends expressed. I would like to see what her reasons are for her statement. Maybe she would like to come on the blogs and give us those reasons so we could be informed.

You stated,"She's given me her accounting of what she's heard but I'll not repeat it here since it is "hearsay" except that one of the boys involved is the son of a man who at this time is going to run for Clay County Sherriff. It is her opinion that he would be the worst thing to happen to Clay County in a long time if elected."

In Clay County where we had J P Hall for a Sheriff for 35 years who it appears owned half of the county, and is often referred to as the "Godfather" of Clay County. Then 12 years of Lancaster who had several questionable policies and practices. Then with some of the information that I have seen concerning Beseler and behind the scene meetings with a Commissioner concerning giving him our money.

Why does she feel in her opinion one of the guys who is going to running for Sheriff would be the worst thing to happen to Clay County in a long time if they were elected.

Maybe she would join the blogs and tell us her opinions. I would be very interested in hearing what she has to say.

Therein lies the problem.  The parents aren't willing to let their children face the consequences of their actions.  Mommy and Daddy will take care of it for you.  Dont' even pretend to be surprised.  Many parents will do anything to "protect" their children even from themselves.  My son was always on the cutting edged, and he bled a lot.  I could have pulled a few strings with friends, but I chose not to.  He is a better man because I made him responsible for his actions.  

Parents who continuously bail their kids out of tough situations do them no favor.  The instill in the children the "rules don't apply to me" I can do what I want syndrome.  As far as the running for office bit, I don't blame the parents for all their kids actions, but I do blame them for bailing the kids out.  

That apparently seems to be the problem at FIHS.  It's not the kids, its the parents who think their children can do no wrong, but when they are forced to admit their children misbehaved, they simply bail them out of the situation.  Make it all go away seems to be the mantra on the island.  That is not the way of a responsible parent.

On the Island, but always responsible for my actions, I remain,

The Islander