Profane students can be cited and fined

WESTFALL — This school year, Delaware Valley High School students are expected to have a firmer handle over the choice words they use when frustrated or annoyed, since an additional policy on profanity use could result in a citation and monetary fine. In the past, profanity referrals had only been issued in cases in which students directed inappropriate words towards staff members, and the out-of-school suspension punishment incremented on a first, second and third offense basis. But since the first day of the 2008-2009 school year there are further steps in that disciplinary course of action — a possible “disorderly conduct” citation from school police officer Mark Moglia, a fine of up to $375, and a court hearing if the referral is challenged by the student. According to 11/12 high school principal Joseph Casmus, this measure only applies to the most severe profanity cases, like if a student continues to use multiple expletives even after a warning, or is drastically disrupting the educational process. Contrary to popular student belief, said the principal, fines will not be slapped on someone who absentmindedly cusses from a stubbed toe or a jammed locker. So far, the policy has not been implemented this year. “Ninety-nine percent of the time when you tell students to watch their language, they’ll stop and apologize,” Casmus said. “This is just a matter of raising the level of politeness in school. It should be just as shocking for a student to use profanity as a teacher in this environment.” Though the policy addition is not mentioned in the handbook, administrators say it falls under the Student Responsibilities section - 12.2 (b) - of the student handbook, which reads “no student has the right to interfere with the education of his/her fellow students. It is the responsibility of each student to respect the rights of teachers, students, administrators and all others who are involved in the educational process.” Many students, however, were initially indignant when the topic was touched upon at class meetings during the first week of school. Colin Troup, a senior, was among them. “I think the policy is pretty dumb,” he said after first hearing rumors about it. “Kids are always going to swear and we’re all young adults who should be treated as such.” Troup is also one of many students who think Officer Moglia and administrators are going to be acting as pseudo- profanity police, referring students after even one slip of the tongue in the hallways. Casmus hopes this misunderstanding is cleared up. In the end, all students will definitely be disciplined to some extent of this policy if their business-like persona resembles that of a swearing sailor, especially if directed at school personnel.