‘Zero Tolerance’: a Plus or Minus?

* Re “ ‘Zero Tolerance’ Is Too Rigid,” April 11 editorial:

I commend the Capistrano Unified School District on its decision to suspend a child for carrying a toy cap gun to school in her backpack. It is not the responsibility of the school district to determine if a gun is real or fake while protecting children at each school.

It is the responsibility of parents to ensure that these rules are adhered to in the name of safety. I would encourage the district to continue strict adherence to zero tolerance in the name of the other 44,000 children in the school district.

JILL HARMON

Coto de Caza

* “Zero tolerance” is effective to a point. It might scare some students, but it won’t do anything to others.

To some students it’s more like a challenge; they do it to see if they can get away with it. That sounds dumb, I know, but that’s how some people are.

I agree with some of the zero tolerance policies. If a student is caught with drugs or alcohol away from school, he should be suspended or expelled.

If a student is wearing clothes that violate the dress code off campus, I don’t think the school board or school needs to worry about that. They need to worry about bigger things, like the student’s education.

I’m glad that Newport-Mesa, Tustin and Laguna Beach school districts are taking a second look at their zero tolerance policies. I recommend that other school districts do the same.

JOSE G. GUILLEN

Santa Ana

* Regarding “Zero Tolerance Debate” (April 2), wouldn’t it have been more productive and a good learning lesson if Jaydell Gregory had supported Viejo Elementary School on the one-day suspension of her daughter, Lacey?

She demonstrates that zero tolerance has merit only when it doesn’t involve her daughter, who knew the rules.

What are the lessons that this 10-year-old is learning? “If you don’t like a rule, ignore it”; or, “If you get caught breaking a rule, it is not your fault; the rule is unfair.”

This mother has denied her child one of life’s most valuable lessons: Each of us must take responsibility for our own actions.

CHRISTE WILEY

Mission Viejo