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School drug
policy passed
By DAPHNE HUTCHINSON
Rappahannock Sews Staff Writer
“We want the principals, the teachers, and the students — everyone — to know that from day one, we mean business!” said Chairman Beverly Massie as the School Board endorsed the addition of specific penalities to its policies on the use of drugs, alcohol, and tobacco.
Under the current policy, students suspected of possession or distribution of drugs or alcohol on school property or at a school-sponsored function are suspended pending action by a special “administrative discipline committee” after a due-process hearing. It also provides for appeal of the committee’s decision, first to the superintendent and second to the full School Board.
“I recommend we take a very, very strong posture in dealing with drugs in this school division,” said Superinendent David Gangel, presenting a policy revision which specifies:
• students apprehended selling or distributing alcohol, illegal or controlled drugs, or any substance which the student claims to be alcohol or such drugs on school property shall be suspended and/or expelled.
• students possessing any of those same substances will be suspended and placed on probation for not less than 60 days and/or expelled from school.
• students arriving at school under the influence Of alcohol, illegal or controlled drugs will be suspended for a maximum of 10 days and placed on probation for a minimum of 60 days.
• police and/or juvenile authorities are to be contacted when any of the prohibited substances are discovered on school grounds, and the school principal is to seek a warrant or petition from the appropriate judicial authority.
The policy specifies that any distribution or use of illegal drugs on school property must be immediately reported by school employees and that counseling and rehabilitative programs may be required of students who possess or distribute alcohol or drugs. In addition, the use of tobacco by students in school continues to be prohibited.
“I’m glad to see a stronger policy,” said board member Bryant Lee. “We shouldn’t be slapping their hands when all other school divisions are expelling them.”
According to Dr. Gangel, the proposed revisions are modeled after drug and alcohol policies already in place in other school divisions, including Madison County. But reSee
POLICY, p. 11
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