Students at Lee’s Summit High School complained about the school getting involved when they get in trouble outside of school. Some say it is not fair, and others just shrug their shoulders and say, “It is just another rule that we have to follow.” Dr. Argotsinger explains why administrators care about what happens outside of Lee’s Summit High School.

Tabe: Why should Lee’s Summit High School be concerned with what goes on in our personal lives?

Argotsinger: “Because a lot of times what goes on in your personal lives spills into school, and when it spills into school and becomes an issue at school, then it’s our issue and we have to deal with that.”

T: Are theses rules district approved? Or are they only Lee’s Summit High School rules?

A: All of our discipline policies are district approved.

T: Doesn’t the School Handbook say that Lee’s Summit High School students can only get punished if on school ground?

A: “Does it say that? I don’t know if it says that specifically or not, but State Law allows school districts to discipline if a student has an issue before they get to school, or before they get all the way home from school. I can read through the whole planner and probably find where it says that. It’s in there somewhere; I just don’t know exactly where it’s at right now.”

 
T: Do the parents agree with these rules?

A: “Do they all agree with our policies? No, not everybody agrees with all of our policies, but they are what they are, and the school board approves them, develops them, and our job is to carry them out.”

T: Inappropriate things being posted on Facebook can affect a person; can it also affect them at school?  

A: “The biggest way to get in trouble is if what you posted affects what’s going on in the school environment, then you can get discipline for that.”

T: How does a student getting in trouble outside of school, affect LSHS reputation?

A: “Anytime something major happens, like a LSHS student getting arrested, it doesn’t make US look very good.”

     Dr. Argotsinger made it clear that maybe these rules are not that bad. One key thing that Dr. Argotsinger said was, “Our discipline policies and codes are all designed to make sure that this is a safe environment for everyone that goes to school, and to get the best education they can.”