MovieChat Forums > Lean on Me (1989) Discussion > things a principal can't do

things a principal can't do

posted 17 years ago by gfnoyes
31 replies | jump to latest

There were quite a few things that happened in this movie that a principal can not do

1) a principal can not expel a student, yet Joe Clark expelled at least 300 kids the first day at that assembly. Of course, there weren't even close to 300 students on those risers, but a student can only be expelled by the Board of Education, and of course, the student also can have a lawyer at the hearing

2) a principal can not cancel a concert (the one at Lincoln Center)

3) a principal can not fire a teacher (Mrs. Elliott), and there was no just cause anyway. She got 'fired' mainly for not wanting to kiss is a**, but a decision to fire a teacher has to be done by the Board of Education, all he can do is recommend, and it never would have happened

4) a principal can not suspend a teacher (Mr. Darnell), for the same reason

5) a principal can not chain the doors, it is a violation of the fire law

6) "Call the Federal Government, tell them to get me more money" - I won't even comment on that one

7) Mrs. Barrett told the Mayor to appoint her to the School Board. This can not happen either, you have to be elected to serve on the School Board

8) in the last scene, Joe Clark just walked down the steps after being arrested. How on earth did that happen? Wouldn't the charges have had to be dropped first?

[–] RCeditor 11 years ago

2) a principal can not cancel a concert (the one at Lincoln Center)

I noticed several people comment on this, and I think there's some misinterpretation. My take on Joe Clark's comment, "Your concert is cancelled," is that he's canceling the chorus's field trip to NYC. The concert @ Lincoln Center will go on without them.

THE RAP CRITIC:
http://thatguywiththeglasses.com/videolinks/teamt/rap-critic

[–] Not_Afraid_of_snakes_or_spiders 9 years ago

Another HUGE blunder about him firing Mrs. Elliot was the he did so publically. Not that he could have fired her in the first place, but let's just assume for a brief moment that he could have. He would have had to dismiss her behind closed doors. Otherwise, she would have had a MAJOR lawsuit against the state board of education for public embarrassment.

"There is no reason to bring every cotton pickin book you own into this dadburn gym!"-Fall 1987

[–] hutt359 9 years ago

Clark did fire her, and she did sue. Clark had to issue a written and public apology to her but the music teacher refused the position back and moved to a different district.

[–] Tabbycat (894) a year ago

A MAJOR lawsuit?
Really?
Like, six figures?

What exactly are the damages for one minute of “public embarassment”?
How about all the times that happened to me?
And you?
And every other living creature?
Are we all owed six figures?

So no, actually.

And I didn’t even have to use any CAPITAL LETTERS TO PROVE I’M RIGHT.

[–] Doc80 9 years ago

I know this is way after the fact but #6 is ridiculous. He wasn't saying it like he could actually call the feds and get more money. He was saying it as a reaction to a suggestion that would cost more money than the school had.

[–] [deleted] 5 years ago

Some of those students who were expelled were criminals, bullied, and drug dealers. They were a bad influence on other students who were trying to learn.

[–] lemonhead1 (424) 4 years ago

He improved that dump of a school in the movie and in real life!

[–] Tabbycat (894) a year ago

The fire marshal’s saying YOU CAN’T CHAIN THOSE DOORS!

Know WHERE he’s saying it?
Out in the parking lot.