House Education approved legislation inspired by the controversial punishment of a Jefferson Parish 4th grader who had a BB gun visible in his web camera while in an online class.
The legislation would create a protocol for disciplinary procedures related to online education and offer some judicial review of certain disciplinary cases. Ka’Mauri Harrison’s father Nyron testified and said considering all of the college-educated people involved in public education he’s surprised a bill like this was even needed to sort out his son’s situation.
“I felt like somewhere in the system there should have been somebody able to make a judgment decision on a case by case basis,” said Harrison.
Harrison’s little brother entered the room while he was in class and tripped on the toy, afterwards Harrison moved it out of the way, but within sight of his camera.
Harrison now has an on-campus weapons violation in his permanent record. Baton Rouge Representative Rick Edmonds was flabbergasted.
EDMONDS: “This was a Daisy BB gun correct?”
HARRISON: “Yes sir, it was a Daisy BB gun, the rifle. I bought it from Walmart for Ka’Mauri’s last birthday”
The legislation garnered widespread support from members, and Nyron Harrison testified that its passage could save other families a lot of stress.
“Come to find out it is more than just my son who is going through these things with these school systems and this bill being passed is going to help out future families and children,” said Harrison.
The legislation passed unanimously and is headed to the House floor.
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