Student suspended for singing

A Gwinnett County high school suspended a junior for singing a song in class that referred to shooting a teacher.

Beth Anne Cox, a junior from Peachtree Ridge High School, was suspended for singing: ?On top of Old Smokey, all covered with blood, I shot my poor teacher with a .44 slug.? The verse is from a parody of the classic children’s song ?On Top of Old Smokey.?

It happened during Beth Anne’s German class Friday. She was suspended Monday.

Beth Anne, 16, told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution she meant no harm. She said she was humming the tune in class when a friend asked her about it. When the student said he didn’t know the song, Beth Anne sang him a line from the parody version.

?I wasn?t talking to my teacher, I was talking with my friend,? Beth Anne said. ?I would never threaten anyone.?

But Sloan Roach, spokeswoman for Gwinnett County schools, said the student was discussing a grade with her teacher and began singing the song out loud in class. Roach said the remarks were inappropriate, threatening and caused a disruption.

?Our schools have a responsibility to ensure our classes are free from disruption,? Roach said Tuesday. ?The school can take disciplinary action against any kind of classroom disruption. And in this case appropriate disciplinary action was taken.?

Besides the five days suspension, the school revoked the transfer agreement that allowed Beth Anne to attend the school. Next year she will be required to attend North Gwinnett High, her neighborhood school, said Suzanne Cox, the girl?s mother.

Suzanne Cox said the school ?overreacted.? She said she wants the school to allow Beth Anne to return next year.