District gets a bit more strict

Mary A. Castillo

The Laguna Beach School District board of education approved a

revision to a policy adding a more strict stance toward student

substance abuse on or off campus. Two-time offenders can be barred

from certain school activities for the year.

The policy governs student participation in extra-curricular and

co-curricular activities, such as band or theater.

“Theoretically the policy covers all grade levels,” said board

member Kathryn Turner. “However, more problems arise in the high

school level.”

“The individual sites can have more specific policies [for that

school],” said Supt. Theresa Daem.

The policy was revised to be compliant with California

Interscholastic Federation rules and regulations as well as with

recent court decisions and new legal requirements. It was prepared by

Richard Currier of the Currier and Hudson law firm in El Cajon, and

reviewed by Daem, Principal Nancy Blade and board members Turner and

Robert Whalen.

The policy defines academic eligibility and presents disciplinary

action that will be taken when a student’s grade-point average falls

below 2.0. If a student falls behind, they may continue to

participate in extracurricular or co-curricular activities during a

probationary period. However, if that student does not raise their

grade-point average, they will remain ineligible during the next

grading period.

The loss of eligibility due to the misconduct portion of the

policy raised the most questions. The policy now states that if a

student is caught in possession of, using or selling tobacco,

controlled substances or alcohol, they will be suspended from

participation for a period of five days even if the violation is

committed outside of school or a school-related activity.

“How will [violation] reporting be done when it is not a school

activity,” inquired board member Jan Vickers.

She was concerned that students could be falsely or maliciously

accused of wrongdoing.

“There will be an investigation,” Daem said. “Every case will be

different but action won’t be taken until information is validated.”

Evidence in such a case will include interviews and if available,

police reports detailing the incident in question. Students will be

given an opportunity to plead their cases, but if a student commits a

second substance abuse infraction, he or she will be suspended from

participation in all extracurricular or co-curricular activities for

the remainder of the school year.

“I like the re-draft,” said Whalen, who had criticized a

zero-tolerance drug policy presented to the board at its last meeting

in July. “I think incremental levels of discipline is the right

approach.”

School board candidate Betsey Jenkins raised questions about

possible disciplinary action against six high school students who

were stopped by police earlier this month in possession of a

marijuana plant.

The young men had allegedly taken the plant from a friend as a

practical joke. The young men were not arrested.

Daem deferred to Principal Nancy Blade who will look into the

incident. The board unanimously approved the policy, with minor

revisions.

“We have to start someplace,” Turner said.