I can understand the basic principle. If they allow leniency on one student breaking a rule then they allow all students breaking all rules. This logic may sound contrived - and I agree is a generalization - it's principles are not. Essentially, if they excused her then more students would follow suit. However, we are speaking about a candy and not a violent crime. Should we consider behavior modification over punishment? I believe that if you educate and inform individuals they will understand their crimes and why it is a crime ( or breaking rules ) they over time will modify their behavior, but if you only punish a student without educating them why they are receiving that punishment they will lack that understanding and will not modify their behavior. Really, it boils down to personal liberties and the over-reaching-hand of the state administrators. I understand that child obesity is a serious health concern for all U.S. states, it not only impacts the health of students but also taxes our tax dollars - not to be a pun. We will spend more money for child and adult health care for health issue's resulting from an unhealthful diet. I say adults because the children will maintain their poor eating habits well into their adulthood and continue to stress our health care system. This is why I say education and information over punishment. The child doesn't look overweight to me and she has all her teeth, so it seems to me that through deductive reasoning I can deduce that poor nutrition is not an issue for this child. I mean give her a break, it was a Jolly Rancher and not a pistol.