Discipline issues

I think the board would be the next in the chain of command. After that, it's the press and your governor and state representatives.

From your post, however, it sounds like your son might have hit back, although that's not expressly stated. Am I correct or incorrect? If he has, you're treading in very deep water, because although he was given a harsher punishment, and that's certainly not fair, if he did hit back or push or whatever, your son may not walk away the golden boy in the scenario he could be branded as harshly as the bully will be. So you may just choose to be careful about involving the press unless he's totally clean.

The police is always the hot button with schools. The bottom line is that when you tell the school that you will press charges against the boy if it happens again, and against them for negligence, they will often take better care to ensure that violence does not occur. But don't just make the threat empty; if necessary, follow through and file a police report for assault.

A good rule of thumb for your son is that he does not go anywhere alone - even to the bathroom where a lot of stuff happens where other eyes can't see. He should try to stick with friends as much as possible to not only provide back up but to give him witnesses if necessary. And then, he can turn around and walk away - with his friends - and not lift a finger. He should report any violence immediately and find a friend who will back his story.

I hope the school works it out with you directly, and I hope this doesn't escalate further with your son.

If all else fails, you can always use the search feature on this site to find a new school. I did for my daughter who was being bullied and we're at a school which has a zero tolerance policy. You bully, you're out. Period.