RIO RANCHO, N.M. --
A Rio Rancho teen was slapped with an in-school suspension for taking both
sodas that came out of a vending machine, when he had only paid for one.
That story, first reported on KOAT Action 7 News, was the talk of the
town Thursday. It was the buzz on morning radio, topped local newscasts and was
the talk of parents in the Rio Rancho School District.
| SURVEY |
| A soda machine gives you 2 cans
for the price of 1. Do you keep both? |
|
Yes
No |
|
| |
On
Monday, Rio Rancho student Mason Kisner, 12, said he bought a can of pop at a
school vending machine, and instead of getting one can, he received two.
Kisner said he spread the word, and other students tried to get in on the
deal. A teacher who saw Kisner getting the two sodas on Monday told him not to
do it again. But Kisner said the teacher saw him get another two sodas for the
price of one on Tuesday.
The boy said the teacher called him a thief and accused him of trying to
teach other students how to steal. He was written up, given a two-day in-school
suspension and the incident will appear on his permanent school record.
"I'm flabbergasted, bewildered, dumbfounded. I can't think of another
word to describe how I feel about this incident," said Edward Kisner, the boy's
father. "What kind of character is this showing Mason?"
"It makes me feel very sad that I'm going to be thought as a thief later
on in my life," Mason Kisner said. "Heck, I might not get in a good college or
get a good job because on my permanent record it will say that when I was a kid,
I stole."
Rio Rancho Public Schools issued a written statement: "On Monday a
teacher observed Mason manipulating the soft drink machine at the school. The
teacher advised Mason that getting two sodas for the price of one is the
equivalent to stealing. When the teacher observed Mason doing the same thing
again on Tuesday, she wrote him up."
However, according to Pepsi Cola, which distributes the machines, a
problem like this one with a vending machine is usually a programming error. A
company representative said the student could not have manipulated the machine
from the outside.
"I'm very disappointed I haven't gotten a phone call from the school
resending Mason's suspension at this point," said Edward Kisner. "You know, when
you say you're wrong, it's not a sign of weakness."
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