A good example
The board of education, administration, and football coach at Pretty Prairie last week set a good example for others to follow.
When several students flaunted school policy by attending a party where alcohol and tobacco were being used, they were held responsible.
A law enforcement official also paid the price for not following regulations, and paid the consequences. He knew about the illegal event, but did nothing to stop it.
The coach suspended football players involved in the "party," according to team rules. With the team decimated, the superintended canceled the season's remaining games. And the school board fully approved.
The public at Pretty Prairie also seems to be in agreement. As one high school girl stated to TV cameras about her friends, "They knew the rules and they knew what the consequences could be."
One has to admire the people and school administration at Pretty Prairie for addressing a problem quickly, before young people could receive the wrong message.
Sweeping such a problem under the rug or delaying action until the public forgets, only causes young people to lose respect for authority. They learn that it's not what you know, but who you know. They learn that who it is is more important than what it is. They learn the wrong message, but unfortunately it's a message too often true.
The proper message was taught at Pretty Prairie. Other schools should follow that example.
— BILL MEYER
