Satanic Temple billboard condemns corporal punishment in Texas schools

SPRINGTOWN, TX (KTRK) -- A group called The Satanic Temple has put up a billboard in north Texas that criticizes the use of corporal punishment in schools. The billboard is northwest of Fort Worth in Springtown and reads, "Never be hit in school again."

The group said it selected Springtown for the billboard because of an incident in 2012 where a male assistant principal spanked two female high school students.

"The district still allows corporal punishment, even though all the empirical evidence shows that beating children contributes to behavioral and emotional troubles, and certainly does nothing to correct them," said Satanic Temple spokesperson Lucien Greaves.

The billboard has been up since spring break, and the Temple claims the response has been positive.

"We have heard from a few former students from Springtown Independent School District, and they expressed gratitude for our efforts," said Greaves.

However, Springtown Superintendent Michael Kelley told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram the timing of the billboard is "very odd" because administrators have opted not to use the punishment.

"Corporal punishment has been a non-issue for a very long time here in Springtown," Kelley said. "Even though the policy allows it, our administrators have opted not to use it."