The Georgia School for Innovation and the Classics (GSIC) in Hephzibah, Georgia, wants to reinstate corporal punishment as a form of discipline in schools.
According to local news outlet WRDW/WAGT, parents were sent a consent form giving the school permission to paddle their child if they misbehave.
"There was a time where corporal punishment was kind of the norm in school, and you didn't have the problems that you have,” said Jody Boulineau, Superintendent of GSIC.
No parent is required to sign the form school administrators reiterate. But opting out has consequences. A student will face five days of suspension, instead of the paddle, if they misbehave.
The private school that teaches students from kindergarten to ninth grade reinforces Christian values. The consent form details that those who give consent should expect their child to receive no more than three licks.
"There's no obligation; it's not required. A parent can either give consent for us to use that as a disciplinary measure or they can deny consent," he said.
CNN reports parents have signed a third of the 100 forms sent.
If a parent consents, a student will be taken in the office and the punishment will be carried out behind closed doors. The student will place their hands on their knees, or a piece of furniture, and will be struck on the behind with a wooden paddle.
Some parents have expressed joy about the new policy, as Boulineau described. "I've heard, 'great, it's about time, 'we're so glad that this is happening again, they should've never taken it out of schools.' All the way to 'oh my goodness I can't believe you are doing that.'"
Corporal punishment in U.S. schools is still legal in Georgia and 19 other states.
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