The Incident and Legal Proceedings

• The Attack: In January 2024, the 15-year-old student attacked sheri Wooldridge, a 60-year-old special education teacher, punching her repeatedly in the head.
• Injuries: Wooldridge was hospitalized with a severe brain injury.
• Legal Maneuvering: Prosecutors initially sought to try the teen as an adult, but a plea deal was reached to keep the case in juvenile court.
• Defense: The student’s lawyer, Clyde Bennett, claimed the boy had inhaled a vape containing a substance stronger than nicotine.
• sentencing: Despite recommendations for a locked-down residential facility, Hamilton County Juvenile Court judge Stacey DeGraffenreid sided with prosecutors, sending the teen to a Department of Youth Services juvenile prison in June 2024.
• release: The teen was released to his mother on Jan. 5 under “very high” supervision, according to court documents.

The Push for Permanent Exclusion

On Feb. 24, the northwest Local School District Board of Education unanimously voted to request the state to permanently exclude the teen from public school.

“The pupil’s continued attendance in school may endanger the health and safety of other pupils or school employees.”

Though, the state ruled that the “pupil was ineligible to be permanently expelled as he or she was under the age of 16 at the time of the incident,” according to Lacey Snoke, chief of communications at the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce.

Snoke also noted she is unaware of any other requests for permanent exclusion anywhere in the state in the past five years.

Reactions and Legal Perspectives

Following the board’s vote in February,the teen’s lawyer argued that the board was being reactionary and that his client had been rehabilitated.

He is not a threat to any student or employee at any public school. It is unfortunate that the school board, which is required to act in the best interest of the child, is attempting to deny this young man a critically important part of his life and education. Shame on the board.

clyde Bennett, the teen’s lawyer

Carla Loon Leader, specializing in education law in Cincinnati, views permanent exclusion and other expulsion laws as problematic, contributing to the school-to-prison pipeline.

it throws the baby out with the bath water. Without an education, what chances do they have in life?

Carla Loon Leader, education law specialist

New Legislation on Expulsions

A new Ohio law, House Bill 206, went into effect April 9, granting superintendents greater authority to suspend students. This bill allows suspensions of up to 180 school days for actions posing “imminent and severe endangerment” to the health and safety of others.

• Assessment Requirement: Students must undergo assessment from a psychiatrist or psychologist before returning to class.
• Extended Expulsion: Superintendents can extend expulsions for up to 90 additional school days, subject to further reassessment.
• Choice Options: The law includes provisions for expelled students to attend online school or other alternative educational programs.

The Current Situation

The current status of the teen’s enrollment remains unclear. School districts generally do not disclose details regarding individual student attendance or discipline.

FAQ

• Q: Will the teen be allowed back in school?
  A: Yes, the state ruled he could not be permanently excluded due to his age at the time of the incident.
• Q: What was the teacher’s injury?
  A: Sheri Wooldridge suffered a severe brain injury.
• Q: What is “permanent exclusion?”
  A: It’s a rarely used Ohio law allowing school boards to request the state to bar a student from all public schools.
• Q: what does House Bill 206 do?
  A: It allows superintendents to suspend students for up to 180 days for actions endangering others.