Pubdate: Fri, 28 Mar 2003
Source: Oak Ridger (TN)
Copyright: 2003 The Oak Ridger
Contact:  http://www.oakridger.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1146
Author: Donna Smith, Oak Ridger staff
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Testing)

AC SCHOOL BOARD LOOKS AT CHANGES TO POLICIES ON DRUGS, WEAPONS

CLINTON - Anderson County students and their parents will likely see 
changes next school year in the Code of Student Conduct and the 
zero-tolerance policies against drugs and weapons.

In a joint meeting of the board's Operations and Policy committees 
Wednesday night at the Robert L. Jolley County Administration Building, the 
committees approved several changes and discussed others. Any changes would 
have to be approved by the board at three readings before going into effect.

Among the discussions:

* Removing camouflage from the clothing prohibited under the dress code. 
Board members said there's so many types of camouflage now and this 
prohibition came about as fallout from the Columbine school shooting. 
Committees approved recommending this change to board.

* Removing over-the-counter medication and prescription medication from 
under the zero tolerance policy, although it would remain under the drug 
policy. If this is approved, students could bring this medication to 
school, check it in at the school office with a doctor's and 
parent/guardian's permission slip, and be called to the office during the 
day to take it. However, the student would not be expelled if these drugs 
were found on them unless the student attempted to sell them or give them 
to other students. The school board's attorney Jerry Shattuck reportedly 
disagrees with this removal of these kind of drugs from under the zero 
tolerance policy.

* Making changes to the zero tolerance policy so that items such as pen 
knives would not be classified as weapons and the student possessing them 
expelled from school under the zero tolerance policy.

In other action, board members discussed that the drug testing of student 
athletes would be a contract placed out for bids. Board Chairman John 
Burrell, a physician, has been doing this drug testing at his offices in 
Lake City. However, Burrell is moving his practice to LaFollette in 
Campbell County so the drug testing will end at the end of April.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom