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Parent urges Tooele Board to tighten suspension and expulsion policy after student hit in back of head
Summary
A parent told the Tooele Board of Education his 13‑year‑old son was punched in the back of the head at school and urged the board to change Policy 6009 to impose stricter suspensions and mandatory expulsions for physical assaults.
During public comment at the May 20 meeting, parent Derek Darcy told the board his 13‑year‑old son suffered a single punch to the back of the head at school and that the district did not notify him promptly or provide medical assessment.
"Asking someone who is struck in the head if they're okay is not medical attention," Darcy said. He asked the board to review Policy 6009 and urged that any physical assault carry a mandatory 10‑day suspension and that a second assault result in automatic expulsion. Darcy cited several high‑profile instances where blows to the head proved fatal to underline his concern.
Darcy said his son has attended only a couple of classes since the incident and remains afraid to attend school. He asked the board for a clear, uniformly enforced discipline approach that makes students feel safe. The board did not respond during public comment; the chair reminded speakers that the board listens but does not engage in back-and-forth during the public-comment period.
The board did not take immediate action on Policy 6009 at that meeting; Darcy's remarks were entered into the public record and, per board practice, will be available to staff and board members for any subsequent policy review.
