Reading the article leads me to side with Amy on this one.
Especially seeing as how the school board has stepped in.

Basically, instead of vandalism or such, these kids decided to get together and ride their bikes to school! The horror!
But when they arrived at the school, Principal Katie Pennington went off on students.
Sounds like something that needs to go in HER 'permanent record.'

I skimmed the comments on the linked story, looking for somebody taking the principal's side. There wasn't a single one! Only one comment suggested cooling it a little until all the facts come to light. This sure isn't making the principal look good; I wonder what her reputation was like before this incident.

DrCos, what exactly is a "permanent record?" I don't remember the term ever being used when I was in high school, but I've heard my kids talk about it. I always thought it sounded like a bunch of baloney used to scare kids.

The principal should have expected this. IF this seems like a tradition, you would think something is going to happen.

Join in on the tradition. The punishment should fit the crime. Actually make the punishment a community based one.

With some proper planning and foot work. The prank could be handled. Stress through teachers that dangerous/ blatantly illegal, and really offensive pranks will not be tolerated. Other ground rules like the prank should not be malicious in nature. Throw in the there will be a *wink wink* punishment of community service and any mess or damages will be dealt with by the culprits.

Did not watch the video, but a bike parade is a prank?

Wow this sounds like a tame version of Senior Ditch Day.

I think a lumberjack is needed to get the tree out of that woman's ass.

The power of principals with a stick up their butt. My youngest son's high school graduation was the most boring ever (except the opening speech by an honors senior who gave a very irreverent speech) I'm sure the principal will be so proud of himself.

(The last principal at that high school encouraged the kids to be rowdy at the graduation!)

Ye gods. 60 seniors missed the traditional last walk through the hallways? Oh, the horror. I wonder if it will go on their permanent records...

odd to think of this as an 'oldie' but:
""I hope you know that this will go down on your permanent record"
Oh yeah? Well, don't get so distressed
Did I happen to mention that I'm impressed?"
Violent Femmes - Kiss Off

OTOH, our principle who was in his 60's with the jar head look and bad polyester suits drove a '72 Vette convertible, that the seniors before us put an ad in the paper for with late night calling hours...

He just laughed and closed the parkinglot mid-day, and wondered aloud over the PA system when the Sr.'s would ever be able to get their cars back...

Our malfunctioning confetti cannons are still there in the ceiling above the stage 30 years later. Interestingly this is not NEW... and it always amuses me to watch adults act as if they never had such ideas in their lives.

The knowing wink to a kid to tell them you already know what they are going to do, is much more satisfying than trying to act as though you are shocked that they would have such thoughts.

RPM Daddy, you were such an angel in school they never threatened you with putting things in your 'permanent record' that would follow you around all your life?

Or are you funning us?

@DrCos: "RPM Daddy, you were such an angel in school they never threatened you with putting things in your 'permanent record' that would follow you around all your life?"

Oh, I'll admit I was pretty much a Goody Two Shoes, but I never heard the phrase in any context when I was in high school (more or less contemporary to Our Gracious Hostess). Whenever I hear it, I think of John Hughes teen films from the 80s. I remember my eldest daughter using the term when she was in high school, and I told her it sounded like nonsense to me.

Well, they can't threaten you with getting drafted anymore.

Senior pranks are a tradition that is older than dirt. Coincidentally, so am I :P

My husband, who is 20 years younger than me, is a computer geek. He and his friends rigged the entire HS AV system to run a parody Star Wars featuring various teachers and admin voice snippets they had recorded in class as the characters, and took over the morning announcements.

If this woman was sent into a tailspin by such a harmless prank, I have to wonder about her ability to handle a school full of disparate personalities, dealing with problems both big and small, handling stress or maybe, Gods forbid, an emergency on the scale of Columbine. If I were a parent in that school district, I would be calling for her resignation or firing.

As a side note, the best school admin I have ever dealt with in my kids school careers have been retired military, particularly marines. Nothing phases them.

I agree with Kat.

If she flips her lid and falls all over herself with outrage over something so completely harmless, then I have no real faith in her ability to cope with a real emergency, the wild disparity of natures and personalities within the student body, or an actual serious problem should it occur.

Or, in the best case scenario, she's just a power tripping moron.

Either way, eliminate her.

"I was pretty much a Goody Two Shoes"

Hey, you're not alone, RPM Daddy. I swear to god, I was invited to a pot party once and I thought they were talking about some offshoot of Tupperware. (It calls for a rimshot, but it's sadly true.)

Don't drink don't smoke, what do ya do? Now I'm stuck with that song in my head.

Am I missing something here? The students traveled to the school on street-legal bicycles. The story doesn't even say that they were tardy or absent. Presumably, they had the blessing of the municipality, because they were joined by the mayor and the police. Does "in loco parentis" apply somehow? I just don't get it.

Can they sue? If so, the principal is guilty of a civil rights violation of the students' right to freedom of assembly, one count for every student who participated in the bike-ride. Isn't there grounds to do so, as the school takes both state and federal money?

I just don't understand how an institution that takes government money can impose penalties for constitutionally protected behaviour that took place off-campus. Especially when the behaviour seems to have no bearing on anything to do with the school, staff, or curriculum.

Fabulous. You're a lucky woman.
Don't I know it! That's why I always enthusiastically back you up when you tell people to take care of themselves and stay sexy for their mates. I don't just have to compete with the other 47 yr olds out there, but the 20-30 somethings as well. If I didn't try harder, and watch my girlish figure, neither would anyone else :P

I'll never be Demi Moore, but then, I'm smarter than her in that I know my personality counts just as much as my body, so I make sure to work on both.

My hubby is my best friend, team-mate, love, gaming buddy, Tech support and all around sexiest man I know. It only took me 40 years to find him, so I am enjoying every minute.

This is me this past weekend at Phoenix Comicon, with the Artist and Writer of my favorite webcomic Looking For group.
http://i1229.photobucket.com/albums/ee467/Wynterborne/Dolls_2/49ca2fab.jpg
in case you are curious.

My son's school (granted, it's an elementary school, so the kids aren't driving yet) had a school-sponsored/endorsed "bike-to-school-day" where they had a path and kids joined in the parade as they went. The principal took part, I'm told. We weren't anywhere near the path, so we didn't join in.

I think the bike-to-school thing was part of Earth Day or personal fitness or something in the curriculum.

Also, I wonder if that school has bike racks? Are kids NEVER allowed to bike in?

Reading thru the entire article, the money quote was this:
Kenowa Hills Superintendent Gerald Hopkins admitted to 24 Hour News 8 the reaction and punishment from school officials was as much showing them who's in charge as it was reacting to problems they claim were caused by the prank.

Amy's right.

WHAT problems???

Kids arrived at school. Legally. Is big schoolmarm just upset that the police and the mayor didn't think enough of her to give her a heads up? Or did they just run out of donuts?

Kat, NEVER would have pegged you for 47. You look fantastic, period. Religious use of sunscreen?

Kat's husband is a lucky dude!

@Pricklypear: "Don't drink don't smoke, what do ya do? Now I'm stuck with that song in my head."

Well, I'm sure some "shocking innuendos follow. There must be something inside!"

Today Goody Two-Shoes has been replaced with highlights from the musical they made of Reefer Madness.

When I'm on my deathbed, I'll probably still have some damned song going through my head.

As long as it's not something like "Don't Mess With My Tout Tout" I guess it'll be all right.

Here's a good earworm for you, Pricklypear!

In honor of our lying liar of a president, I give you,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvAAASZlCmM

Kat, NEVER would have pegged you for 47. You look fantastic, period. Religious use of sunscreen?
Thanks! I live in AZ now, but I'm Pittsburgh born and bred, so I've never been much for sun. I avoid it like the plague. But I credit good genes, my Grandma never looked a day over 60 as long as I can remember. That, and a really good sense of humor, laughter and being playful keeps me 12 at heart :)

Kat's husband is a lucky dude!
:D Thankies! I'mma gonna tell him you said so.

You can go girly on me anytime, Amy! I lovelovelove makeup, and probably have more than I need, but I have never grown out of playing dress up :D
And yeah, red-heads can wear red lipstick, we just have to balance it with the right eyeshadow, goth smoky eyes work really well for that.
Mac for the win!