Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Student Expelled By Board

By JOHN MILLER

A Gurdon High School student was expelled for the remainder of the year after striking a fellow student.

The Gurdon School Board, meeting in special session for the second time last week on Thursday, Nov. 7, decided to expel Amos Walker for striking LeAndra Jester on Oct. 31.

Her hearing was held Monday, Nov. 4, with her serving a two-day suspension for her involvement. Walker was originally suspended for five days, but this was because of school policy requiring the five-day suspension for an expulsion hearing.

Walker was given the choice of having the meeting in open or closed session, with his mother, Brenda Gulley, choosing an open hearing.

Board president Charles Ledbetter read the school's policy aloud and informed Walker he could be expelled. He was told of his right to speak on his behalf and introduce any witnesses he may have.

Walker had also been informed he could have legal representation, but had no attorney at the meeting.

Ledbetter reminded the audience the hearing was not a court of law and there would be no cross examination. However, Walker was told he could ask questions of Superintendent Bobby Smithson.

Leonard Gill, GHS principal, made the presentation for the district. He said the incident occurred Oct. 31, in Ms Overton's class.

Gill said Jester made a comment which resulted in Walker hitting her, which was the basis for the hearing. "I understand it was over a bandanna she wore," Gill said.

Walker asked Jester the meaning of a Confederate flag bandanna she was wearing as part of her Halloween outfit, and a confrontation ensued, resulting in him following her out of the room and hitting her in the face.

"He (Walker) told me she called him a stupid nigger," Gill said, adding Walker gave no other reason for his actions.

Speaking on his behalf, Walker admitted hitting Jester because of what she said. He told the board when he asked what the flag meant she replied "You know you stupid nigger," and he then followed her into the hall where she made the comment a second time before he hit her.

Billy Tarpley asked Walker for more details on what happened and who started asking questions.

Walker said he asked Jester what the flag meant. He admitted the bandanna was under a cap she was wearing at the time, saying he just wanted to know what it meant.

"I wasn't trying to pick a fight," he said. "She called me a name and left the room. I followed her, asking what she said and she said it again. I hit her. It made me mad."

Walker, under questioning by Tarpley, agreed it isn't right to hit people who make him mad, and said at the time it didn't matter she was female and defenseless against him.

He also told the board he considers himself a gentleman, and wouldn't strike Jester again if he could to it over.

Walker had no questions for the board. He did say he was playing with her until Jester called him a name and didn't mean to hit her with a book he reportedly swung at her before the two left the room.

In addition, he denied calling Jester a "white bitch," because of what she said, as was alleged in the Nov. 4 meeting.

After following Jester into the hall and striking her, Walker returned to his seat in class.

He said he had not been in trouble this year for fighting, but had been sent to see Gill for detention hall and being tardy.

Board member Jesse Runyan said there were conflicting stories between Walker and Jester and wished one or the other had brought witnesses to their hearings.

Gulley spoke on her son's behalf, saying she wasn't pleased with the situation of Walker being suspended for five days while Jester was only suspended for two.

She said both should have gotten the same punishment as both were involved.

Gill said he did not consider the incident a fight because Jester did not strike back. He told Gulley Walker was charged with physical assault or abuse of another student, not fighting.

Gulley informed the board she was more concerned with her child being called a racist name than with his striking a young lady.

Gill said Jester was charged with disrespectful language to another student and explained the handbook policy on both charges. He said for the purpose of an expulsion hearing, a student had to be suspended for five days.

Gulley again said Jester was wrong for what she called Walker.

Tarpley intervened saying a fight is when two people are hitting each other and there is an equal chance for both. He pointed out Walker is much bigger than Jester, and striking a lady is abuse. "The girl had no chance against Walker," he said. "He, by virtue of being a young man and is bigger, had the advantage."

Gulley said size didn't matter, her calling him a name gave him the right to hit her.

Tarpley pointed out Jester was trying to get away when Walker followed and punched her.

The board went into a short executive session to make its decision.

Upon returning, Runyan said the board's decision was based on the facts of the situation as presented. The major fact was a young lady was struck by a young man.

He said the board doesn't condone racial slurs, but cannot and will not stand young men hitting young women in this district.

Gill recommended Walker being expelled for the remainder of the year based on his record. The board concurred.

Gulley, after hearing the board's decision, asked to speak again, but was not allowed. She informed the district's governing body she would talk to an attorney about the situation.