Massachusetss school ignored police defense of girl they suspended

[thisnumbersdisconnected]

Despite having evidence in hand that Erin Cox, the 17-year-old volleyball player suspended for five days and stripped of her team captaincy because she went to an underaged alcohol party to rescue a friend in trouble, was not drunk and indeed was doing exactly what she said she was doing, the school ignored that evidence and punished her anyway. Boxford police officer Brian Neely wrote an email to the school specifically regarding why Cox was not arrested, cited or otherwise to be made legally accountable for her presence at the party.

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/10/1...gh-school-athlete-suspended-for-aiding-drunk/​

In the electronic note, Neeley reportedly writes: “I responded with several other officers to an under aged party 732 Main St., Boxford. Erin Cox was one of many people under the age of 21 at the residence. I had the opportunity to speak with and observe Erin Cox while waiting for her mother to arrive.

“Erin did not have the slightest odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from her person. She was polite, articulate, steady on her feet, and very remorseful for her decision to go into the residence but was only helping out a friend that had called her for a ride. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me.”

Even now that the email from Neely has come to light, the school administration isn't apologizing or willing to admit they blew it. From the same story on FoxNews.com ...

North Andover Public Schools Superintendent Kevin Hutchinson has remained intransigent despite the officer’s e-mail.

In a statement to FoxNews.com, Hutchinson wrote, “While some may decry the Administration’s actions as unfair or inconsistent with the principles of due process, our Administration wholeheartedly disagrees.

“To be clear, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court has ruled that participation in interscholastic athletics is a privilege. Rather than simply revoking the privilege, our Administration has consistently afforded its student-athletes a reasonable opportunity to be heard before a disciplinary decision is made."

This idiot's blind allegiance to a stupid "zero-tolerance" policy may cost Cox a shot at a Division I scholarship. Despite having outstanding career statistics, Cox is, according to her lawyer, getting mixed responses from potentially interested college programs.

Because she did the right thing? What a load of horse hockey!!

 

[Revmitchell]

This girl is being sacrificed on the alter of Zero tolerance. Maybe the teachers union should find something else to worship that does not destroy innocent people.

 

[thisnumbersdisconnected]

This girl is being sacrificed on the alter of Zero tolerance. Maybe the teachers union should find something else to worship that does not destroy innocent people.

If she doesn't get a D-I offer, I think she should sue the school district for the cost of the education she won't be able to get at the school she most likely would have accepted an offer from.

 

[Aaron]

She should have sent an adult. I agree with the school.

 

[Revmitchell]

It may have been better to send an adult but the girl did nothing wrong. She did not drink, she did not do drugs. She only came to pick someone up. There are no rules broken here and there is nothing immoral done. The whole thing is absurd.