1. PURPOSE OF THIS PETITION

This is a petition to overrule Matthew Whalen's suspension from Lansingburgh High School in Troy, New York and prevent the suspension from appearing on his permanent record.


2. CASE INFORMATION

Matthew Whalen, a 17 year-old Eagle Scout was suspended for five (5) days from attending school because a two-inch pocket knife was found closed and locked in the trunk of his car along with additional camping gear.

"Whalen, a senior, says he stocks his car with a sleeping bag, water, a ready-to-eat meal and the small knife, which was given to him by his grandfather, a police chief in a nearby town." Source: (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,566182,00.html)

When Matthew's parents attempted to appeal his suspension, the school board retaliated by extending his suspension another fifteen (15) days. This suspension will appear on Matthew's permanent record, the same record to be used in his application to West Point, one of the nation's highest-respected and top military schools.


3. SUPPORTING ARGUMENTS

When determining whether or not to sign this petition, consider this:

1) The pocketknife in question is not formally considered a weapon by the New York State Education Department.
2) There was no rule specifically identified restricting the use or carry of this pocketknife on record and the judgment made was unilateral and at someone's sole discretion. Matthew was punished based on someone's perception of the law, not an actual infraction.
3) The context in which the pocketknife was found (closed and locked in Matthew's car trunk, not found in his pockets or backpack).
4) Matthew's behavioral history: He's part of BSA, Boy Scouts of America and holds the title of 'Eagle Scout', a highly coveted rank awarded at a special ceremony attended by peers, family, and scout leaders.
5) Near the two-inch pocketknife found in the trunk of his car, is a tire-iron which could have been used to severely injure someone. Nearly anything can be used as a weapon whether it's a chair, pencil, book, or a rock (items which can be found at a school) and to single-out this particular object is nonsense.


4. CLOSING

This petition is to have all entries found on the permanent record of Matthew Whalen removed by the New York State Education Department and make public, a formal apology to the public, peers, and family of Matthew Whalen for grossly interpreting the law with intent to damage this youth's public image and harm his educational future.