CLASSROOM ATTACKS ON RISE IN AREA : BOARD STIFFENS PENALTIES.

Byline: Karen Maeshiro Daily News Staff Writer

It used to be almost unknown for students to push, threaten or punch a teacher at local high schools. No more.

With 10 or 12 incidents a year, Antelope Valley Union High School District officials have stiffened discipline policy against students who assault - verbally or physically - teachers and other school employees, saying they want to send a clear message to offenders.

Where first-time offenders once were allowed to transfer to another school or alternative education program within the district, students now will be expelled from the district and referred to educational programs operated by Los Angeles County.

``We want to make it clear that if you assault a school employee, either verbally or physically, there will be a price to pay,'' said Dave Rich, director of pupil personnel services.

The board voted unanimously at last week's meeting to make the penalties stricter, said board member Sue Stokka. The action came after board members at a meeting in December expressed concerns about incidents of verbal and physical assaults by students against school employees.

``We're treating it as a zero tolerance issue,'' Stokka said. ``That means an automatic expulsion from the district, not to (continuation school) Desert Winds High School or a community school, but a direct referral to the county. The kids are threatening teachers and lives of personnel.''

Rich said there has been an increase in incidents of physical and verbal assaults that has been building over the past four to five years.

The district now has about 10 to 12 incidents a year whose victims include teachers, administrators, campus security workers and other classified staff.

The assaults involve hitting, pushing, shoving and verbal threats, Rich said.

``It used to be a rare-type instance. It's no longer rare,'' Rich said.

Antelope Valley Teachers Association President Chuck Stoll said he believes the board's action is a step in the right direction, but he said he is not certain what punishment is the answer.

Some students consider suspension from school a vacation, he said.

``You sometimes wonder if there should be some military schools built,'' Stoll said with a chuckle.

But he said teachers also want to be sure the district will back them up when they enforce school rules.

``One of the critical issues for teachers when they ask a student to obey the rules is, they don't want to be sworn at, they don't want to be cussed at, they don't want to be abused in that way,'' Stoll said. ``It's demeaning.''

Stokka said the nature of the offenses for which students are brought before them for expulsion hearings has changed in the 3-1/2 years she has served.

``There's a great deal more violence. There's a great deal more violence and lack of respect for adults and authority figures,'' Stokka said.