Pubdate: Wed, 16 Nov 2005
Source: Powell River Peak (CN BC)
Copyright: 2005 Peak Publishing Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.prpeak.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/734

OFFENCES DROP IN WAKE OF DRUG POLICY

Suspensions are down in School District 47. A significant drop in
suspensions was reported for School District 47 at the November 8
school board meeting.

Suspensions of 10 days or less for non-violent offences dropped from
13 in October 2004 to two in October 2005. Suspensions of 10 days or
less for violent offences dropped from nine to one.

Suspensions for an indefinite period also dropped, from six in October
2004 to two this year for non-violent offences. Indefinite suspensions
for violent offences went up, from one to two.

Looking at the school year to date, numbers were also dramatically
down, especially for less serious offences. Non-violent offences
resulting in suspensions of 10 days or less dropped from 23 in
2004-2005 to eight in 2005-2006. Violent suspensions of 10 days or
less were down from 17 to nine.

Non-violent indefinite suspensions were cut in half, dropping from 14
to seven in 2005-2006. Violent indefinite suspensions are constant at
two for both years.

School board chairwoman Pauline Galinski said that, although the
numbers are much lower, two weeks of school were missed during the
teacher strike.

Four students have been referred to the new board drug and alcohol
discipline committee this year. Trustee Jeanette Scott asked if the
drop was due to the new drug and alcohol policy.

Superintendent Jay Yule said the number of drug offences is definitely
down.

Galinski added that a school counsellor told her, "The word is out
among the kids that this [the new policy] is not to be played with."
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin