Shortly before a white police officer became embroiled in an incident where he physically threw a black student across a classroom in South Carolina, a newsletter aimed at black parents within the district was released. This newsletter, issued by the Richland Two Black Parents Association, featured a stark warning entitled “The School to Prison Pipeline.” Although a forum to discuss the issue had been planned, it was postponed due to flooding. However, the newsletter urged parents to remain vigilant and aware of the critical time of the year when rates of suspension and expulsion typically rise. If any unusual behaviour is experienced regarding punishment, parents were told to report back to the association. Stephen Gilchrist, a member of the association, said that the group, formed because of concerns that white parents were receiving favourable treatment and that black students were being too harshly punished, had existed for quite some time. The association had concerns about the level of punishment allocated to black students at the Blythewood Academy, where 99% of the students are black. The school district denies recording expulsions by race, but figures provided nationwide suggest the RTBPA’s concerned have credence.

According to an expert, most school shootings are carried out by white students, yet students of color bear the brunt of police presence in schools. Schools should not be a place for law enforcement, as young people will inevitably make mistakes and should not be subject to arrest for minor infractions. However, administrators in Richland District Two have taken a proactive approach to address the over-disciplining of black children. They formed a taskforce comprising 53 members, including police officers, community leaders, pastors, and parents to determine why black students were being punished more harshly than their white peers. A three-tier system has been established to categorize classroom offenses and guide teachers and officers on appropriate responses. Level One infractions include minor misbehavior such as cheating, truancy, and cursing. Level Two offenses entail more severe behavior like fighting, theft, and vandalism, while Level Three offenses involve criminal actions such as assault, battery, and drug and sexual offenses. Punishments can range from Saturday detention to criminal prosecution. However, the problem arises when police officers enter the picture, as even minor offenses can lead to violent arrests. To remedy this, a complete overhaul of the school system’s structure is required. Schools with more students of color should invest in preventative measures like counselors, nurses, and librarians instead of policing.