Cursing costs in classroom

HARTFORD - Students at two schools can either watch their language or watch their money disappear.

In an effort to curb abusive language, Bulkeley High School and Hartford Public High School have instituted fines for students.

Police stationed in the schools issue $103 tickets to cursers, said Bulkeley principal Miriam Morales-Taylor.

The citations are similar to speeding tickets and require a court appearance if the fine is not paid, Morales-Taylor said.

The official charge is creating a public disturbance.

"It is issued for a breach of peace - we only use it when the student is disrupting to the staff member using really abusive language.

About 20 tickets have been issued at Bulkeley since it was brought into force last month.

Morales-Taylor said the system seems to be working. "It makes a big difference - it is very quiet now."

- REUTERS