Pubdate: Thu, 14 Nov 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

ZERO TOLERANCE UNDER REVIEW

Principals Against Drug Policy Change

Escambia County principals say the issue is simple: Changing the School 
District's zero-tolerance policy on drugs will mean more drugs on school 
campuses.

Middle and high school principals met with School Board members Wednesday 
to voice their concerns with a proposed policy that would allow students to 
turn in drugs or weapons without fear of expulsion.

Board member Gary Bergosh suggested the policy, which is called "safe 
haven," as a way to ensure students who intend no harm are not unjustly 
punished. Bergosh said the policy would be used in cases where a student 
found drugs on campus or mistakenly brought prescription medicine or a 
pocketknife to school.

He wants a board policy that would allow students, as soon as they find the 
item or realize it's in their possession, to turn it over to a school 
official without threat of punishment.

"I think it's something we need to put in the handbook," he said. "This 
will probably never be utilized except in a rare or extraordinary situation."

Under Escambia and Santa Rosa counties' zero tolerance policies, possession 
of drugs or a weapon is enough to warrant expulsion.

The issue ballooned into a nationwide debate in September when a Pensacola 
High honor student was recommended for expulsion after she found a bag of 
pills on campus. Teresa Elenz, who later was reinstated by an independent 
hearing officer, said she was afraid to turn the drugs in because of the 
district's zero-tolerance policy. She said 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.

Principals at Wednesday's meeting referred to a "forgiveness policy" in use 
now. The policy is, in essence, a safe harbor policy, they said.

The problem, Bergosh said, is the policy isn't written, and students and 
parents he's spoken with are not aware of it.

"I'm talking about a simple policy that states if you find something on 
campus, you self-identify, you won't be expelled," Bergosh said.

But principals said a written policy will be a loophole students will use 
to get out of trouble.

"I don't think I've ever been in an expulsion hearing with drugs where a 
student didn't say either 'It wasn't mine,' or 'I was holding it for 
someone,"' said Bill Slayton, principal of Woodham High. "It's never theirs."

Alan Scott, the district's director of secondary education, said zero 
tolerance policies are mandated by state law.

"It doesn't mince words," he said.

Bergosh asked principals to write a short summary of what they think about 
the policy and to include recommendations of how they believe it should be 
worded. He plans to work with board attorney Francisco Negron to draft the 
policy and bring it to the board for approval in December.

He said all the policy will do is put in writing what principals are 
practicing and will prevent students from using "I was afraid to turn it 
in" as an excuse.

"It's not something they say after the fact," Bergosh said. "They have to 
turn it in themselves."

Board members gave Bergosh tentative support for the policy at their last 
meeting.

Board member Cary Stidham said the policy shouldn't change anything for 
principals.

"The policy he's talking about really isn't for administrators," she said. 
"It's for students to read so they can't come back and say 'I didn't know.' "

Despite the assurances, Tate High Principal Carolyn Spooner is afraid the 
policy will undermine the district's policy on drugs and weapons.

"If we take a lighter position on drugs, we'll have more drugs on campus," 
she said. "It's as simple as that."

Alan Scott, director of secondary education: "It (zero tolerance) is not a 
policy of this board. It is a mandate by state law and school code."

Escambia Superintendent Jim Paul: "In certain cases, the principals' hands 
are, in fact, tied.

Woodham High Principal Bill Slayton: "We seem to be dealing with this 
situation because of a single case. You don't know how many situations we 
have handled without this coming to you. Our record, I think, is pretty 
good on common sense."

Washington High Principal Nettie Eaton: "It's going to increase our problem."

Board member Gary Bergosh: "I think you are practicing the policy. It's 
just not written."

Tate High Principal Carolyn Spooner: "Students know what the rules are. 
They know if they made a mistake and brought something to school 
unintentionally, they can turn that in....My concern is: We're going to see 
an increase of drugs on campus."
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