“Back in my day the High School Assistant Principal was the one with the large paddle mounted on the wall behind his desk. (You know, the one with “speed holes” drilled in it...)”
Yep. Paddling was a core duty of an Assistant Principal in Texas schools including Houston “back in the day”. I know that for a fact but only got it once myself.
“You know, the one with “speed holes” drilled in it...”
My home room teacher had one like that, hanging behind his desk. He claimed that the speed holes were his invention. I feel betrayed.
They were called swats. I took 3 in a row in 8th grade, Spring Branch Jr High, Houston. You are right, it was the asst principle, recently riding the Cowboy’s bench, according to legend! 1972.
Although, paddling a dyslexic for spelling difficulties proved ineffectual.