Garrett High School senior suspended for "f-word" tweet

GARRETT, Ind. (KPC/WANE) A Garrett High School student will finish his senior year at an alternative school for reportedly using the “f-word” several times on his Twitter account, according to his mother.

Our partners at KPC News report that Garrett-Keyser-Butler Schools superintendent Dennis Stockdale wouldn't confirm whether Austin Carroll, 17, was suspended or expelled for posting an inappropriate tweet on a personal Twitter account last week.

Stockdale said he cannot talk specifically about the case, but did give a statement. “Garrett-Keyser-Butler Schools has not suspended or expelled any student for using their personal electronic device inappropriately on their own network, including this situation,” he said.

Stockdale said the school district has disciplined students who inappropriately use the school’s network or its electronic devices, including iPads or Macbooks.

Carroll’s mother, Pam Smith, told KPC News that her son will not be able to finish his senior year with classmates, can't attend the senior prom nor attend commencement practices. He will be allowed to participate in graduation, but will receive a blank diploma that night. Stockdale will give him the signed document following the ceremony.

“Others have done way worse,” Smith said of Garrett students. “In-school suspension for a couple days would have been plenty.”

Smith and her son contend his obscene Twitter feeds were sent from his home computer through their personal Internet provider. But when his IP account was uploaded at school, the tweets reportedly showed on his school account, Smith said.

Smith and her son were called to the school principal’s office March 12 regarding the incident, and administrators showed her printouts of the tweets. Smith said she has not seen complete documentation regarding IP reports and times.

Stockdale said federal law allows the school to filter content used by students.

The final decision on punishment is made by the superintendent, at the recommendation of the student’s building principal, according to Stockdale.

Parents can request a hearing with a hearing officer to appeal a decision. Stockdale said during his five years as superintendent, three or four hearings have been held.

Smith said she waived the opportunity for a hearing because she didn't fully understand the process at the time.

Carroll posted on his Facebook page Monday:  “I agree with the administration that what I did was wrong and I shouldn’t have done it,” he wrote. “But the punishments they put me through were way too harsh. I shouldn’t have gotten in trouble at all. It wasn’t the school as a whole that did it, though. I love Garrett Schools with all my heart. The students and teachers are the best ever. They think of one another as family,” Carroll’s post said.