Pubdate: Sun, 11 Dec 2005
Source: Charlotte Observer (NC)
Copyright: 2005 The Charlotte Observer
Contact:  http://www.charlotte.com/mld/observer/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/78
Author: Emily S. Achenbaum
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?237 (Drug Dogs)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?225 (Students - United States)

DRUG DOG CREDITED FOR SUSPENSIONS

36 More Students Suspended Than During Same Time Last Year

Significantly more high school students have received long-term
suspensions so far this school year compared with last year, and school
officials say the increase is related to the district's new drug dog.

During the first 12 weeks of the 2005-06 school year, 78
high-schoolers received long-term suspensions (defined as 10 days or
more, used for more serious offenses). During that same time frame in
2004-05, 42 high school students were suspended. By comparison,
numbers at the middle-school level have remained flat.

With numbers nearly twice as high this year, school officials say the
spike is probably related to the presence of Cash, the drug dog
patrolling high school halls and parking lots with Union County
sheriff's Deputy Christy Baucom. Baucom said marijuana is the most
common find.

"We'd love to have the drug dog come up empty every day," said Mary
Ellis, the district's assistant superintendent of administration. "But
the reality of it is, we must take steps to deal with what's going
on."

Cash replaces a young Labrador named Chuck, who was retired and
adopted out a few weeks ago after he became ill.

Chuck found marijuana in a Weddington High student's car the first day
of school this year, according to the Sheriff's Office reports, and
was rotating among high schools in the county until Cash replaced him.
The dog is in the schools daily.

Cash is intended to be a deterrent to illegal behavior, including
weapons possession. He is trained to detect heroin, marijuana,
cocaine, meth and gunpowder. His purchase and training cost $3,800,
which was paid for by Freedom Chevrolet.

Ellis said the new dog likely isn't the only reason the numbers of
long-term suspensions are increasing.

Union County Sheriff Eddie Cathey agrees. He's pleased with the dog,
he said, but feels the department's involvement overall in the schools
has increased this year.

Ellis cited increase teacher training on safety issues, which includes
harmful items like drugs.

"We've got more eyes and ears looking," Ellis said.

A few high schools have new principals, who often start strict to show
students they mean business, she said. The district's overall student
body increased 9.5 percent this year, and the odds are more kids mean
more infractions, she said.

The district is also trying to be more aware of punishment
discrepancies -- making sure an offense at one high school receives
the same severity of discipline as it does at others, Ellis said.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin