Angelo's Case Summary

Even though Angelo’s case is a difficult one doesn’t mean there isn’t a simple solution that can resolve it. In general, faculty at schools needs to look at every individual’s case differently, and not generalize everyone’s situation. In this case, Dr. Sterling has a hard decision to make on whether to punish Angelo by suspension, or to let him go with a warning. Honestly, I don’t agree with either of those decisions because they are on two complete opposite sides of the spectrum in Angelo’s case. In determining Angelo’s punishment instead I feel that the punishment should fit the crime, the situation should be thoroughly investigated, and that the student’s guardians should be contacted before any punishment is given to Angelo.
Seeing as how Dr. Sterling knew of Angelo’s situation with attendance and how if he missed anymore days he wouldn’t be able to graduate with his class, or get the Sons of the Civil War Scholarship, then he should take that into consideration when determining Angelo’s punishment. Since not all crimes are the same then why would you treat them the same? In this situation having Dr. Sterling suspend Angelo for fighting would not fit the school rule Angelo broke. Having his whole future jeopardized because of one mistake shouldn’t be the appropriate form of action. Dr. Sterling

should give Angelo community service, or an in-school which in turn would not jeopardize Angelo’s scholarship and graduation. This would also follow the standard Dr. Sterling set for the rest of the school by not letting Angelo off easy. Additionally, Angelo has no past record for breaking any other school policies, along with being a good student, and being very involved in school, so why would suspension for his first offense be the right judgment to make? These are all the factors that Dr. Sterling needs to take into consideration when determining Angelo’s punishment.
Since it seems Dr. Sterling has such a connection with Angelo then he should know that Angelo was never involved in those fights to begin with and shouldn’t have believed Brad’s story. That being said even if Dr. Sterling believed Brad to some extent he should have talked to Angelo personally and not allowed them both in the room together. However, say that Angelo did cause all the fight around school why would Dr. Sterling not keep Brad an anonymous prosecutor knowing that putting them both in the room together would cause additional drama between the two. In a way, Dr. Sterling put Brad at risk in the first place and should have spoken to the two boys separately. Furthermore, Dr. Sterling should have investigated the fights more thoroughly and not blame the first person that is accused. Dr. Sterling should have spoken to the school’s faculty about any information they had about the fights in school, and should have the teachers ask their students for any information they might have about the fights. Now, taking into consideration that Dr. Sterling is too busy to investigate the case thoroughly then he should have the dean’s look into it. After all that is the dean’s job.
Given the circumstance of Angelo’s situation, both his parents should be contacted, and be informed of the situation.

Angelo’s parents should have some say in what happens to Angelo because he is their child and their responsibility. With that being said, Dr. Sterling should set up a meeting with Angelo’s parents to discuss what would be an appropriate form of punishment for Angelo. Also, seeing how Angelo’s future is also severely jeopardized because of this situation there is all the more reason his parents should be contacted. Furthermore, Brad’s parents should also be contacted to ensure that the two boys resolve their conflict and to settle things once and for

all.
Ultimately there are a lot of factors that need to be carefully examined before deciding Angelo’s fate. In order for Dr. Sterling to appropriately decide Angelo’s punishment he should make sure the situation is thoroughly investigated, that the punishment fits the crime, and that the parents of the students are contacted to ensure a resolution. In following this method Dr. Sterling should have no problem in determining an appropriate disciplinary action to accommodate the standard set by the school and Angelo.