SMITHFIELD - The Board of Education on Tuesday banned the use of corporal punishment in Johnston County schools.

The old policy allowed corporal punishment to be performed by an administrator in the presence of another school official. Parents or guardians were to be notified immediately of the action.

Associate Superintendent Ed Croom said corporal punishment is allowed by state law,

but it is not a practice that Johnston County wanted to enforce. "The liability is too great ...," he said. "You don't want to risk a child getting hurt."

Johnston school officials are allowed to use reasonable force for the protection of others or property, for self-defense, to remove weapons from a student or to stop a threatening disturbance, such as a fight.