Students Caught Fighting Choose Humiliation Over Suspension

In Mesa, Arizona, a high school principal gave two students caught fighting a very interesting choice when it came to their punishment.  They could either be suspended from school for nearly two weeks or they could hold hands on school grounds for one hour.  They chose the humiliation of holding hands which, for now, has seemed to work as both boys have indicated that they have learned their lesson.  However, there are some, including the school district, who are critical of the punishment.

Those against the punishment say that this is opening the door for either one of the boys to be subject to bullying by those making fun of the incident.  The school board says it is not their policy to allow principals to give students a choice of different forms of punishment.

What do you think?  Did the principal go overboard in this form of punishment?