In an effort to stop students from making false allegations against teachers, Dallas Independent School District has put a new policy in place.
Dallas public school trustees approved changes to the district's Student Code of Conduct on Thursday that will allow schools to punish students who make false allegations of wrongdoing against teachers.
Teacher representatives had lobbied for the change because the district must investigate all student allegations, which often results in placing the accused faculty member on paid administrative leave.
Teachers said the removal of faculty members during the investigations leaves colleagues suspicious and the reputations of the accused tarnished.
Under the old rules, if the accusations proved false, the teachers were returned to campus but students faced no consequences. Now, making a false allegation is on par with fighting and drug use. These acts can result in detention, removal from extracurricular activities or in-school suspension.
It is imperative for all of us to think before we speak and only report the truth. Once something is said, it's out there, and sadly, will stay in the minds of others. I've always thought it amusing when a judge tells jurors to disregard words spoken in court. Once planted, seeds can take root.