To the editor:

I could not believe the arrogance and ignorance of the Barrington School Committee moving forward, on taxpayers' dollars, to uphold a student's suspension related to him talking about school shootings with friends.  This so-called incident was thoroughly and professionally examined by the police, school personnel, RIDE and the RI Board of Education. 

I don't understand why this is being further pursued. 

If you look at who perpetrators of school shootings are it is clear that the six students suspended do not fit that profile. They are not loners or outcasts and are good students. When faced with emotionally stressful situations, we all tend deal with and clarify our feelings by talking to people we trust. These students, including the girl who felt uncomfortable by their words, were all doing that. In addition, they are adolescents. The boys were using their experiences to try to make sense of school shootings and relieve their stress. The girl spoke to her parents. None of these students should have any negative consequences for their normal behavior.  

The only negative consequences should be that we consider only Patrick McCrann for re-election to the school committee. 

Susan Beck

Barrington