St. Augustine High School Mission statement states: “Under the Lordship of Jesus Christ, St. Augustine High School is the training ground for leadership through academic excellence, moral values, Christian responsibility and reasonable, consistent discipline.”

With the mission of St. Augustine clearly stated, we come today urging Archbishop Gregory Aymond and the Josephite community to change their stance on the paddle at St. Augustine High School.  Using the paddle as a disciplinarian does not have a negative effect on individuals psychological or physical being. New Orleans community is under siege with violence committed by mostly uneducated African American men, men who are the age of our children at St. Augustine high school.  

Children and young adults in our society today believe that they are entitled to everything. With this entitlement comes the idea that there is no consequence to any action. The paddle reinforces laws of our society. Removing the paddle has already shown little effect on creating a positive discipline community at St Augustine.

There are many more things which will benefit St. Augustine High School, and in these times of supposed austerity, other things should be prioritized instead.