"All that to one side, my basic question is "did the the punishment fit the crime?"And, why no warning or three strikes and you're out? This is a kid who had been a true youth leader."

All to the point--it is pretty clear to me that the feeling of effrontery, like a slap to the face, is what pumped the prideful administrator(s) full of vinegar. The truth stings, but open sunlight on the truth can be quite cleansing, especially once things have dried out a bit.

This punishment did not fit the crime.

Perhaps an apology or retraction would have been in order, but nothing more than that.

(I would argue that allowing the girl to remain secretary for the organization would have been punishment enough.)

H4.5