Pubdate: Tue, 22 Oct 2002 Source: Pensacola News Journal (FL) Copyright: 2002 The Pensacola News Journal Contact: http://www.pensacolanewsjournal.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1675 Author: Jenny LaCoste Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth) SCHOOL BOARD RECONSIDERS DRUG POLICY Students Might Find `Safe Harbor` From Zero Tolerance The Escambia County School Board wants to revamp its zero tolerance policy on drugs, giving students a way out if they find themselves with drugs on campus. Board member Gary Bergosh suggested adding a "safe harbor" policy to the School District's Rights and Responsibilities handbook that stipulates students can turn in drugs to a faculty member without fear of expulsion. "It would basically say if someone found drugs or realized they brought a prescription drug with them to school, they could turn it in to the administration or a teacher and automatic expulsion would not apply," he said. Bergosh, who outlined the plan at Monday's School Board workshop, will work with the board's attorney, Francisco Negron, to draft the addition and bring it back to the board for approval in November. Last year, 60 students in Escambia County and 68 students in Santa Rosa County were expelled for drug violations. Under both counties' zero tolerance policies, possession is enough to warrant expulsion. The issue became a nationwide debate last month when a Pensacola High honor student was recommended for expulsion after finding a bag of pills on campus. Teresa Elenz, who was later reinstated by an independent hearing officer, said she was afraid to turn the drugs in because of the district's zero tolerance policy. She intended to dispose of the pills - which turned out to be over-the-counter sinus medication and a few prescription-strength pills - but was caught before she could. The principal and a committee of district administrators said Teresa, 15, should be expelled, but her parents appealed for a formal hearing. The officer said, at worst, Teresa was guilty of "poor judgment" and recommended a 10-day suspension. She was out of school for more than a month awaiting the appeal. Bergosh also recommended finding a way to make the process faster, so that students aren't out of school for so long. Board members gave Bergosh tentative support. "I think that's a more fair way of doing this," said member Cary Stidham. "Let them know there is a safe harbor." Board member Elmer Jenkins questioned whether the board should begin considering drug violations on a case-by-case basis, rather than enforcing zero tolerance. He pointed out that, under their contract, public school teachers get a second chance if they violate drug policies. "We should take a common sense approach," Jenkins said. "I have a problem with zero tolerance when it says one thing for students and another for employees." Teresa's mother, Nancy Skaggs, said she's glad the board is addressing both issues. "They need to have that policy in writing and make sure kids understand it," she said. "They also need to get these kids back in school as quickly as possible. The homework Teresa has had to catch up on has been unbelievable." In other business, the board: Discussed leasing the Petree Pre-Kindergarten Center to ARC- Gateway, a nonprofit organization that provides services to people with disabilities, for $1 a year. The School Board shut down two Pre-K centers this year, Petree and Judy Andrews, and relocated those classes to elementary school sites to save overhead costs. All five board members said they supported the move and will vote on the issue tonight. Discussed a proposal by Stidham to limit Superintendent Jim Paul's authority to set administrative salaries. Stidham said there needs to be established criteria for promotions and step increases within each pay grade, rather than leaving it solely to the superintendent's discretion. Joe Hammons, the superintendent's attorney, said in a written response to the proposed rule that it would "not only be unwise but, in my view, unlawful." Negron, the board's attorney, disagreed. The board will vote on the issue tonight. - --- MAP posted-by: Doc-Hawk