I got expelled from high school for some zero-tolerance pussy-footing bullshit like this. the administration was and is too scared to make a case-by-case judgement, so they hide behind their mantra and save themselves the trouble of thinking about anything ever. I say the biggest possible "Fuck You" to everyone in any position of power who does the same.

here's a real gem:

"[M]ore school districts have removed discretion in applying the disciplinary policies to avoid criticism of being biased,” said Ronnie Casella, an associate professor of education at Central Connecticut State University who has written about school violence. He added that there is no evidence that zero-tolerance policies make schools safer.

No, you don't say? zero-tolerance doesn't make schools safer and only results in good people getting screwed over? I never would have guessed.