yeah except its a fucking teacher
This is exactly the problem, man! A lot of kids just think whatever teachers say is true but you shouldn't respect their authority over you when the exact opposite is true. Teachers are wrong SO OFTEN it hurts but really they're just there to watch you for a couple hours each day so you're not burning down the city like restless teens are wont to do. Teachers are pretty much just mini authority figures and it doesn't take much to not break their rules. Some teachers are assholes, but oh well.
Plus this was the superintendent so as far as the school system goes you can't get much higher (if higher at all). If anyone had the authority to take away this kid's diploma it was her. In fact, she could take it away for good if she decided to!
If a teacher says "Stop fooling around in class or I'm going to FAIL YOU" and never fails anyone that is pretty much a guarantee that snot-nosed highschoolers are going to fool around as much as possible just because their brains are telling them to rebel as much as possible. Fail a couple kids and they'll snap in line! They'll grumble about it and post on Facebook about how much they hate their teachers but oh well.
Don't beat that guy to death
Oh you did it
You rascally scamp
(has everyone forgotten that thread already? High school kids are AWFUL)