A Direct Approach - superintendent Edward Hillhouse talks to students about acts of violence in school - Brief Article

School Administrator, Jan, 1997

Edward Hillhouse, superintendent of the Meramec Valley R-III schools, didn't want to leave to chance that students would fully appreciate the ramifications of a new state law governing behavior in schools. While most school districts relied on pamphlets or letters from principals, Hillhouse took the message directly to the students.

A few weeks after Missouri's Safe Schools Act went into effect, Hillhouse addressed all students in grades 6-12 to explain how acts of violence would henceforth be recorded in students' permanent records, following them to whatever school they enrolled in.

The superintendent said he opted to meet with students because "they are the ones who would be affected, and they need to be educated so they can make smart choices."