Expulsions Dropped for the Morton 25

[Barrett808]

Source: Chicago IndyMedia

In an abrupt turn-around, District 201 Superintendent Nowakowski takes expulsions off the table and sends most student protestors back to school tomorrow.

Less than 2 hours after stating he would release a comment on the looming student expulsions in a day or two, Dr. Ben Nowakowski, Superintendent of the J.S. Morton schools in suburban Berwyn issued a statement dropping all threat of expulsions and sending most students back to school on Wednesday. More than two dozen students, were facing expulsion after an anti-war sit-in at the school on November first.

Since the protest, the numbers of students suspended has slowly decreased from a high of over 37 to a count of 18 cited today by the superintendent. In the statement posted on the District 201 website, Nowakowski says that "14 of the 18 students will be cleared to return to class on Wednesday, November 14; the remaining 4 students who bore more culpability for the disruption that occurred in the opinion of this administration will be cleared to return to class on Friday, November 16."

This is good news for parents whose children were still facing expulsion after several suspenion appeals meetings with school officials. Since the press conference held by the parents a week ago, school officials and the Board of Education have been barraged by the press, members of peace, social justice and civil rights groups and have felt the pressure of scrutiny by political figures including the Reverend Jesse Jackson and State Representative LaShawn Ford. Dr. Charles Flowers, the regional superintendent, also said he was inquiring into the harsh punishment of the students.

Read more: http://chicago.indymedia.org/newswire/display/80197/index.php

[John Q. Citizen]

1. This is good news.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

2. Glad to hear this

the punishment of the students was way out of line. Glad to see that the district superintendent is investigating as well.

[LynzM]

3. Glad to hear it.

Peaceful protest should not result in removal from an institute of education, ffs.

[snappyturtle]

4. Thanks so for posting this follow-up! Good news! nt

[DeSwiss]

5. Finally.

A principal who still remembers parts of the Constitution.

Thanks Barrett808 for the follow-up! ;)

- K&R!!!

[Barrett808]

6. Here's the original story from last week:

Morton West High School Expulsion (for student anti-war protest)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x3054575

[donheld]

7. Great news

someone got a brain.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

8. Somebody with the stomach to have and maintain a FreeRepublic account PLEASE post this news there!

They were, of course, celebrating the wannabe Pinochets: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1922457/posts

[Trillo]

9. About face, forward march.

Authoritarians changed their minds, so do as you're told. Report immediately to school, do not pass go.

No, you may not think for yourself, either.

[Hand]

10. BREAKING: Moran gets a BRAIN!11!!1! nt