What an insight! Thank you for explaining where these folks are coming from. I've never lived in a small town--mostly a suburban dweller--but my husband is from small-town Wisconsin, and he has voiced some of the same thoughts you have. I'm lucky, I guess, that my school always acted first, and asked questions later. Yes, students have "rights", but they have no right to wreak deadly chaos on campus. After more that two decades in the same high school, I can't remember a time anyone really complained about removing kids from the classroom if they appeared to present a danger to themselves or others.

Your response here is so well-written and thoughtful. Do you mind if I quote it on Medium? I contribute to The Shortform, where writers often continue the online "conversation" with further commentary and links to others. Please let me know. And thanks for giving me something to think about today!