Students assail zero tolerance policy

Danette Goulet

NEWPORT-MESA -- High school students on Tuesday said they are more

determined than ever to change the distinct’s strict drug and alcohol

policy, which they claim is unfair and simply doesn’t work.

“Transfers don’t work,” said Newport Harbor High School student Jackie

Brown. “I’ve had friends transferred from Newport Harbor to Corona del

Mar and it didn’t change -- it didn’t do anything. There are more drugs

there.”

Tuesday night’s town hall meeting, sponsored by the Student Political

Action Committee at Newport Harbor High, served as a forum for debate by

nearly 100 community members. All agreed that a strong policy is needed,

but ideas varied on what that policy should be.

The district’s zero tolerance policy calls for the immediate transfer of

a student the first time they are caught using drugs or alcohol on campus

or at a school-sponsored event. If a student is caught a second time,

they face more serious penalties, including expulsion.

While many teachers and parents agree with the policy, students say it’s

not solving any problems.

During the discussion, students questioned the effectivenessof the policy

since students are still drinking after school events.

“As long as you’re not drinking in the classroom, it’s effective,” said

Lynn Bloomberg, drug and alcohol program coordinator for the district.

“We’re not your parents. That’s their responsibility. We’re not a

treatment facility -- we’re a school. Your parents are supposed to be

raising you.”

But many times, parents alone are not effectively raising their children,

said student panel member Deuce Stabler.

“Society needs to step forward if we’re going to better society and

mankind,” Stabler said.

Although the committee’s advisor, Phil D’Agostino, agreed that the

instructor’s role is changing in today’s society, he said they can’t be

everything to a student.

“Parents are the primary educator of children,” he said.

Still, students said they want more help from the district -- and a

policy that provides help instead of only punishment.

“We want to see mandatory counseling and the offer of community service

as a viable alternative [to transfer],” said Courtney Rotstan, a student

representing the government class that spearheaded the movement.

Mike Murray, director of student services for the district, said he was

impressed with the forum, the students’ ideas and the questions they

asked, saying he expected more questions regarding personal issues.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if the board looked at putting in more options,”

he said.

Students videotaped the evening’s discussion and intend to put together a

presentation for the school board.

“Everything eventually needs updating,” said committee member Mike

Landers. “Now we’ll do something about it.”