Color Scheme

Subscribe now

This column reflects the opinion of the writer. Learn about the differences between a news story and an opinion column.

Safety, suspension balanced

I have been in education 41 years, most of those years as a principal. The truth is most kids come to school ready to learn and teachers do an amazing job. Some students come to school with severe issues. They throw chairs, hit students and staff.

Educators try several strategies to help all students stay in school. When safety becomes an issue, then we do suspend the student for two reasons. First, to send a message to the student that the unsafe behavior is not OK. Second, to give the staff time to continue to work on a success plan for the student.

If a child was hurt by another child, the newspaper would be writing an article about why the school was not creating a safe environment. Educators are so passionate and make a positive difference for kids.

Mike Crabtree

Colbert

Letters Policy

The Spokesman-Review invites original letters on local topics of public interest. Your letter must adhere to the following rules:

  • No more than 250 words
  • We reserve the right to reject letters that are not factually correct, racist or are written with malice.
  • We cannot accept more than one letter a month from the same writer.
  • With each letter, include your daytime phone number and street address.
  • The Spokesman-Review retains the nonexclusive right to archive and re-publish any material submitted for publication.

Unfortunately, we don’t have space to publish all letters received, nor are we able to acknowledge their receipt. (Learn more.)

Submit letters using any of the following:

Our online form
Submit your letter here
Mail
Letters to the Editor
The Spokesman-Review
999 W. Riverside Ave.
Spokane, WA 99201
Email
editor@spokesman.com
Fax
(509) 459-3815
Phone
(509) 459-5430

Read more about how we crafted our Letters to the Editor policy