Board gives initial OK to zero-tolerance change

Danette Goulet

NEWPORT-MESA -- School board members gave preliminary approval Tuesday

to a revision to the district’s zero-tolerance policy, declaring their

intolerance for intimidation and bullying on school campuses.

“Our children deserve a safe place to go,” said Cyndie Borcoman, a

Corona del Mar parent who favors the policy change.

Borcoman was one of several Corona del Mar middle school parents who

approached district officials in the fall to insist that something needed

to be done about violence at schools.

They want to see the old attitude of “boys will be boys” disappear,

she said.

In answer to their concerns, the Newport-Mesa Unified School District

put together a task force of parents, teachers and staff to address

student violence and bullying. The group wrote the addition that was

approved Tuesday for the 4210 zero-tolerance policy.

The zero-tolerance policy, which has governed student conduct for more

than a decade in the district, has come under attack repeatedly over the

years for its harsh punishment of students caught with drugs or alcohol.

The most recent attack was by the American Bar Assn. last week, when

the group announced its opposition to zero-tolerance policies across the

country.

The revision adds in the second graph of the policy that no threats,

intimidation or violence by students will be tolerated.

However, unlike the immediate school transfer punishment for alcohol

or drugs, students who make threats, bully others or are violent to

others will face anything from a parent conference to expulsion,

depending on the severity of each case, district officials said.

School board members were in favor of the revision as a concept, but

there were some concerns about the wording and legality of the revision.

Wendy Leece, the single dissenting vote, said she would not be

comfortable with it until the school district’s attorney went over it

with a fine-toothed comb.

“To say the district will not tolerate any gestures, comments threats

or actions -- that can be a matter of interpretation,” Leece said.

Leece said she fears the policy change could open up the school

district to potential lawsuits.

“I think we’re stepping into a zone here where we have to be careful

what we put in here,” she said. “I’m just concerned, bottom line, about

free-speech issues.”

Trustee Martha Fluor also had a few concerns and suggestions in terms

of the wording of the revision.

Jaime Castellanos, the district’s assistant superintendent of

secondary education, assured board members that the attorney would review

the revision before the next board meeting.