When schools implement a zero-tolerance type of policy, it does one thing consistently. It allows school administrators to disable the common sense portion of their minds. They no longer need them.

After all, zero tolerance is very clear.

So, when a deaf three year old uses sign-language to say his name, and it resembles a gun, school administrators have only one move: make the child change the way he says his name.

No, I’m not joking. You think I can make stuff like this up?

Grand Island’s “Weapons in Schools” Board Policy 8470 forbids “any instrument…that looks like a weapon,” But a three year-old’s hands?

“Anybody that I have talked to thinks this is absolutely ridiculous. This is not threatening in any way,” said Hunter’s grandmother Janet Logue.

“It’s a symbol. It’s an actual sign, a registered sign, through S.E.E.,” Brian Spanjer said.

S.E.E. stands for Signing Exact English, Hunter’s sign language. Hunter’s name gesture is modified with crossed-fingers to show it is uniquely his own.

“We are working with the parents to come to the best solution we can for the child,” said Jack Sheard, Grand Island Public Schools spokesperson.

That’s just about all GIPS officials will say for now.

Well yeah that’s all they’ll say. There wasn’t anything in the zero tolerance policy about responding to logical questions.

I’ve got some sign language for the school administration, but my editor doesn’t approve of me posting such things.