Public meeting planned over boy's 'boner' essay

The parents of a 15-year-old boy who was stood down over an essay will hold a public meeting at Cambridge Town Hall on Friday to challenge the school board of trustees.

The Cambridge High School board on Friday told Mike Scherger's parents in a letter that it backed the principal's stance, after she stood him down for writing a "sexually offensive" essay about a boy getting a "boner" or erection.

A mediator will oversee the meeting and school representatives will be invited.

The board's letter said that because of publicity on the matter it could not be effective in any resolution.

The board refused to delete the stand-down from Mike Scherger's record despite a request from his parents.

The Schergers complained to the board after principal Alison Annan imposed a maximum five-day stand-down.

She also said he had been told twice by the teacher not to hand in his essay.

The letter from board chairwoman Diana Grantham said: "We are satisfied the process of stand-down was carried out as required by legislation and we support the decision of the school fully.

"Unfortunately, board members became aware of your problem though the media.

"We were unable to be effective in any resolution that could have been implemented because of this trial by media."

A stand-down is the formal removal of a student from the school.

- NZPA