
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, August 12, 1993                   TAG: 9309110292
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A10   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

GO-SLOW APPROACH WAS RIGHT ONE

THE CHARGE against William Shepherd, principal of Hurt Park Elementary School, which was dismissed recently, raises some thought-provoking questions.

Why were different words used in the state law for reporting suspected child abuse - ``immediate'' for doctors, social workers and police officers, but ``forthwith'' for others, obviously included school officials? Having different terminology could (and did) confuse even the more educated. World Dictionary defines ``forthright'' as "immediately; at once," so why was there a need to use two different words when referring to others who share the same reporting responsibility?

Why are school officials planning to take any disciplinary action at all against the principal since the charge was dismissed?

Suppose Shepherd had reported the case as a possible abuse and found out later that the little girl's bruises and swollen face were the result of an accidental injury, or that a fight with another child had produced them?

PATRICIA D. DEEL

Cloverdale

See microfilm for the rest of the letter

by CNB