The mother of a 14-year-old San Jon teen, who will be referred to as “Brandy” for this story, admits that her son has problems paying attention in class, but she says her 90 pound son didn’t deserve what she calls “excessive spanking” at school.

The teen was paddled at San Jon School, near Tucumcari.

“I think it caused more damage to his behavior,“ said “Brandy.“

She was out of town that day, but was sent photos of her son’s purple, bruised behind by his grandmother. The photos are now part of a state police report.

“Brandy” recalled her reaction when she first saw the photos: “I was sick. I was hurt it could be taken this far… I was very upset.“

She claims her family told the female principal would swat her son when they gave permission.

The report says instead of the principal, it was a school coach who swatted the boy three times. The coach allegedly told the student, “If he was tough enough to talk back to the teachers, then he was tough enough to take the swats.“

Because of the bruising and because her son cried after the first swat, the investigating officer concluded in his report that the paddling “could have been excessive,“ but also noted it did not affect his mobility, and that permission for the swatting was granted by the boy’s family.

The investigator also noted that names of students were on the paddle, saying it was his impression that the school takes pride in spanking.

“Brandy” says the paddling did more damage than just bruising. She said, “I think his self-confidence is like zero. He’s stressed a lot— he really doesn’t want to go to school.“

San Jon Superintendent Gary Salazar said he cannot comment by law on any student’s punishment.  He did talk about the district’s paddling policy in general. He says corporal punishment is rarely used, and only as a last resort that is usually requested by parents.

Salazar said, “Having been in education for almost 20 years, it’s one of those things I think over time has lost some of its effectiveness, but it does work for some kids. It is an option.“

New Mexico is one of 20 states across the country where school corporal punishment is still legal— including spanking.

Out of New Mexico’s 89 school districts, 36 still allow corporal punishment—like San Jon. The law leaves it up to local school boards to decide if it should be used.

Salazar said, “A lot of times, it’s a reflection of the community itself. The board members, of course, represent the community, and I’m sure if they felt like the policy was something the community did not want, then we would probably make that adjustment.“ In one school year, 705 students in New Mexico were swatted, according to the U.S. Department of Education.

The latest state to ban corporal punishment is Ohio after Nadine Block of the Center for Effective Discipline pushed for the ban.

Block said, “We are teaching children that you solve problems through violence.“

She said it should be banned in New Mexico, too, because corporal punishment is already banned in the military, foster care, and in private child care.

Block also says it opens up schools for lawsuits.

Block said, “One of the primary problems is that children are injured.“

“Brandy” has put her son in another school and has been told by the district attorney’s office that it will likely not move forward with the case.

“Brandy” says she may sue.