The Mesa Public School District representative has issued a statement in regards to this case: Principal Richards was appointed at Westwood High earlier this year and has ambitious plans to turn around a school that has suffered declining grades in recent years.īut not everyone agrees with his methods so far. Some maintained that the case sent a negative message to gay students, as it suggests that boys holding hands is a shameful act. Several Facebook users described the tactic as 'inappropriate'.Īnother commenter felt the incident encouraged bullying as the boys were targeted for name-calling as a result of the punishment. There has been plenty of criticism over the punishment. The lunch-hour punishment was witnessed by the whole school
