DOING WHAT'S RIGHT

The story of Lindsay Siebert, a 13-year-old seventh-grade student at Jackson, affected many people in different ways.

Lindsay was in the school hallway one day when a fellow student showed her and a friend a bag of what he believed was marijuana. Lindsay did what she thought was right: She told the principal, and the boy was suspended for a few days.

That's when the trouble began. The boy and his friends began to harass and threaten Lindsay. Later, four girls from school confronted Lindsay at the mall. One punched her. Authorities at the mall took appropriate measures against the girls, but Lindsay feared more trouble would plague her at school.

Her last day at school was the day after the fight at the mall. She now gets counseling from a child psychologist, and her parents are waiting to see if she qualifies for home-bound schooling provided by the district.

The story prompted rage from some people -- at the school district and authorities who failed to protect Lindsay. Others aren't surprised by the incident. After all, they say, Jackson is no more insulated from the bane of drugs and alcohol than any other large school district. Some people were angry at the newspaper for publishing Lindsay's story, fearing the chilling effect it will have on other children who otherwise might have blown the whistle on illegal activity in school.

That misses the point. If such incidents are kept secret, another student might face what Lindsay's endured. The problem must be addressed. Obviously, a large public school district never will be a sanctuary against the ills of society at large. There is no way school officials can guard students against all harm.

Perhaps more than anything, the parents of those children harassing Lindsay need to take matters into their hands. If that doesn't happen, though, the school district must administer the discipline. Schools have to provide a positive learning environment while maintaining the structure of discipline. It is a precarious tightrope, but it is one schools must walk.

The alternative is a rise in mischief by the rogues in school while other students embrace the view that it's easier -- and safer -- to look the other way.