Celina student's suspension sparks outcry

CELINA - A middle school student's recent project for his history class has created a stir, leading to his three-day in-school suspension and raising questions at Monday's school board meeting.

Eighth-grader Tyler Carlin recently told the newspaper that he was on his way to submit his project on March 5 when he was stopped and sent to the principal's office. History teacher Ryan Spriggs had assigned his students a project to construct a veterans memorial. Tyler said he, with help from his dad, Chris, had decided to make a replica of what is known as a battlefield cross.

He said he had used a NERF gun, which he painted black and zip-tied pointing down between a pair of black children's boots. He then placed a helmet on top of the gun. The monument is often used to honor a soldier who has been killed in action, Chris Carlin told the newspaper.

Spriggs reportedly gave Tyler permission to submit the project, but Tyler then received a three-day in-school suspension for disruption and bringing something resembling a dangerous weapon to school, according to information from attorney Travis Faber, who represents the family.   

School officials had determined that Tyler was not a threat and allowed him to return to class for the remainder of the day, Faber has said. Officials have since changed their stated reason for his suspension to "insubordination."

Chris Carlin, has said if they hadn't painted the gun black, Tyler wouldn't have been in trouble.

School officials and the district's attorney have refused to comment on the incident.

At Monday's school board meeting, Celina Education Association co-president Steve Stewart said the incident involved Spriggs, a union member, and asked the board to answer a couple of questions. Union officials said Monday night that they were preparing a statement, but it had not been released by press time.

Board president Carl Huber said the board is not legally allowed to answer any questions pertaining to the incident without permission from the Carlin family.

"We would love to respond to this. We have sent a request allowing us to respond. We cannot say anything without their permission," Huber said.

Celina alumna Janice Holdheide said during Monday's meeting that she supports the student's intentions.

"I'm a 2000 graduate of Celina High School, served 12 years in the U.S. Army and served two combat tours in Iraq. I'm here to speak up for the young man in Celina Junior High School who was suspended and disciplined for choosing to honor the men and women …"

Huber interrupted her, however, saying she "could not talk about that particular incident."

"I appreciate you not giving me any time. That speaks volumes of the school board," Holdheide replied.

Superintendent Ken Schmiesing has said the district supports veterans and their families, but student conduct is governed by rules and provisions of the student code of conduct, and the board requires all students to comply.

"Respect for the rights of others, consideration of their privileges and cooperative citizenship is expected of all members of the school community," Schmiesing had stated in a news release. "The board has zero tolerance of threatening, disruptive, insubordinate or inappropriate behavior by its students and enforces the student code of conduct fairly and even-handedly."

Board members on Monday met with CEA members in executive session to discuss the incident, but no action was taken after emerging about 30 minutes later.

Also during Monday's meeting, board members approved the retirements of kindergarten teachers Barbara Walls after 36 years of service and Barbara Faller after 35 years of service.

District officials had anticipated their retirements effective at the end of the school year and plan to eliminate the positions through attrition as a means to cut costs over the next three years to stem deficit spending, Schmiesing said. School officials expect to eliminate more positions through attrition and take other measures to cut costs.

In other action, members,

• accepted the resignation of high school teacher's assistant Melissa Steinbrunner, effective March 7; Mercer County Head Start aide Shari Hanes, effective March 21; and Marshallese liaison Shula David, effective Feb. 23.

• accepted the retirement of district library media specialist Sheila David, effective at the end of the school year; and Keith Gudorf, effective July 31, pending contingencies.

• issued the following supplemental contracts: Brennen Bader, Bret Baucher and Jay Imwalle as weight-room coordinators; Bader as head varsity football coach; Tyler Foulkes, Baucher, Stewart Watson and Dave Hucke as assistant varsity football coaches; Joey Braun as head ninth-grade football coach; Jason Tribolet as seventh-grade football coach; Ryan Jenkins as head boys' soccer coach; Kyle White as assistant boys' soccer coach; Amy Sutter as head varsity volleyball coach; Katherine Dirksen as assistant varsity volleyball coach; Christie Binkley as junior varsity volleyball coach; Kim Smith as ninth-grade volleyball coach; Rachel Eichenauer as varsity cheer adviser; Alicia Ball as dance adviser; and Toma Hainline as assistant girls' tennis coach.

• accepted the following: a $1,500 donation from the Mercer County Civic Foundation/Pax Machine for the Celina Intermediate School LEGO League, a $500 donation from the Mercer County Civic Foundation for Mercer Dads bowling night and $500 from the Women of the Moose No. 338 to pay off student lunch debt and help students in need.

• approved Derek Wenning, Ryan Harter, Matt Hodge, James Miracle and Kevin Lockwood as volunteers for the football program.

Correction:

District library media specialist Sheila Baltzell-Linn, who has resigned, was misidentified. The error occurred in reporting.

Correction:

Celina City Schools District media specialist Sheila Baltzell-Linn is retiring, effective at the end of the school year. The error was made in reporting.