Johan Penner, 30, principal of Old Colony Christian School, and Anna Klassen, 42, pleaded guilty in St. Thomas to charges of hitting the boys on their buttocks with a belt. The boys remained clothed for the punishment. Child welfare officials have seized the belt, the London Free Press reported Thursday.

The newspaper said the peace-loving Mennonite community is standing behind the two educators. Defense attorney Gord Cudmore said church members do not see "strapping" as punishment, but rather see the hand as a "tool of God."

Nevertheless, the community is changing its rules related to corporal punishment.

Sentencing was set for July 15. Cudmore said he would seek to have the convictions discharged.