Burt Hummel was a man on a mission. As he stalked his way down the halls of McKinley High School the kids took one look at his face and made a path for him. He didn't look at anyone and made no comments to any of the teachers as he passed, regardless of what any of them said to him. Without pausing by the secretary's desk, he stormed into the principal's office and slammed the door open. "Figgins! We need to talk." he said.
Looking like a deer caught in the headlights Figgins looked up and said "Mr. Hummel, you... you don't have an appointment, I'm afraid that..."
Interrupting the man, Burt said "I don't care about any appointment, we are going to have a chat and you are going to make some changes around here."
"What are you talking about, this high school is one of the best in the state" Figgins replied.
"Best in the state my ass!" Burt Hummel replies as he takes a packet of papers from the pile in his hand and slaps them on the desk saying "this is the lawsuit I will be filing tomorrow morning against you and the Lima Consolidated School District in the amount of $87,000,000. The annual school budget for the district. The harassment and assault of my son and others in this school will stop or I will take every penny this district has."
"This is outrageous, you can't sue the school district!" Figgins shouts as he stands up behind his desk trying to cover his shock.
"Wanna bet?" the pissed off father replies. "According to the Ohio State Constitution all citizens of this state are entitled to equal protection. According to the Lima Consolidated School District rules, all students are entitled to a safe, harassment free school. A safe place where bullying is prohibited for ANY reason! A place for them to learn and be educated to the best of this states ability." As this was being said a copy of both the state constitution and the school district's own policy handbook were laid on the principal's desk.
Suddenly afraid that the man in front of him was actually serious about the lawsuit, the principal slowly sat back down and picked up the papers and booklet that had been laid in front of him, asking "what exactly do you expect me to do?"
"You will get rid of that damn slushie machine to begin with. You will post staff outside before school and during each passing period to prevent any kids getting tossed in the dumpsters again. You will require all staff to be present during passing periods in the halls to prevent any kids getting slammed into the lockers or being assaulted verbally. You will expel any students caught doing any of these things as is outlined in the school handbook. They will also be prohibited from participating in any club, activity or sport for the school." Burt tells the man seated in front of him.
"I... I can't do that." the frightened man replies.
"If it isn't done by the end of school today, then the lawsuit will be filed first thing in the morning. Which is more important to you? Providing a safe learning environment for all students in this school or catering to the parents of the bullies and allowing them a free pass?" the father asks.
"I will have to consult with the school district's attorney and the board" the principal answers.
"You do that, if I don't hear from my son when he gets home from school about the changes that will be taking place, then I will be filing the suit in the morning. You have until the end of school today to fix this." Burt Hummel states with conviction.
Without another word the man exits the principal's office and leaves the school, proud that there were finally going to be some changes made and that his son would be safe now. He knew that the school district would enact the changes, they couldn't afford to go to court, much less pay out if they lost.