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East Paulding High’s senior class president will be able to walk across the stage with his peers as they receive their diplomas next weekend.
U.S. District Judge Harold Murphy in Rome today issued a preliminary injunction that will allow Jake Zimmerman to take part in his school’s graduation ceremony, according to attorney Lester Tate of Akin & Tate in Cartersville, who is representing Zimmerman.
Zimmerman was one of 24 teens arrested following the March 11 vandalism of East Paulding High School and surrounding areas. Last month, he was barred from extracurricular activities, including graduation, following the school board’s 6-1 vote to uphold the original punishment levied by school district staff and add the additional stipulations. Zimmerman after the board’s ruling, which came after a closed session that lasted nearly four hours, said he had felt the punishment was out of “spite.”
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In This article
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East Paulding High School
3320 E Paulding Dr, Dallas, GA -
Akin & Tate
95 Cassville Rd, Cartersville, GA -
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Ricky W Kracker a.k.a. Diggy Swagga
9:18 pm on Thursday, May 17, 2012
"Paulding County Schools Associate Superintendent Brian Otott said district officials as of Thursday afternoon had not received a copy of the official ruling from the court, but said the school system intends to follow the judge’s order."
“The district believes the decision to not allow Mr. Zimmerman to participate in the ceremony should be made by the local board,” Otott said. “However, the district respects Judge Murphy’s rulings and will certainly honor it, and the district hopes all parties will do everything in their power to make the graduation ceremony a positive event for all seniors and their families.”
In other words, the School Board was acting in all pettiness and vindictiveness and got smacked around by a court. How good to know that they intend to follow the court's ruling. As if they have a choice. What, they were going to wait for a writ of mandamus?
But the money quote? “The district believes the decision to not allow Mr. Zimmerman to participate in the ceremony should be made by the local board,” Otott said.
Of course they think the decision should rest with the local board. Wouldn't it be nice if as elected officials they would not have to worry about that annoying reality of judicial review?
Why Otott wonders, can't ALL my unconstitutional dictates be respected by courts as much as my minions and those stupid enough to put me in office to oppress them, their children, and their little dogs, too? Call the wahmbulance, Otott.
Molly
9:13 am on Friday, May 18, 2012
Is this just for this Jake kid or do ALL 24 get to walk
Ricky W Kracker a.k.a. Diggy Swagga
11:10 am on Friday, May 18, 2012
All, I believe, even the ones who did damage to the building and vehicles, who took the initial deal. They were not punished as severely because the others did not have the audacity to talk to the media or-shudder--appeal!