Disciplining Md. students: full support or empty punishment?

WASHINGTON — After the principal at Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School tried to impose a tough punishment on students caught drunk at a school event, the head of the school district has reversed it, igniting conflict among parents.

Weeks after she warned parents and students, BCC principal Donna Redmond-Jones banned six students who were drunk at their May 6 senior prom from the commencement ceremony June 1.

But, in a story first reported by Bethesda Magazine, Montgomery County Public Schools Interim Superintendent Larry Bowers rescinded that penalty.

He explained his action in a letter to parents that went out Friday evening — at the start of the Memorial Day weekend.

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