Pubdate: Tue, 31 Oct 2006 Source: Bland County Messenger, The (VA) Copyright: 2006 Media General, Inc. Contact: http://www.blandcountynews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4337 TEENS EXPELLED OVER DRUGS Theme days have long been part of week-long high school homecoming celebrations. Wearing clothing inside out and donning costumes for class are part of the fun. But three Bland High School boys have been expelled for taking "Hippie Day" too far beyond tie-dye shirts and peace signs during Homecoming week. Bland County law enforcement was called Oct. 16 to Bland High School when a teacher reported a suspicious odor to Principal Kevin Siers. When the students were questioned, they owned up to having marijuana. They did not distribute it to other students. Since the incident involved juveniles, the Sheriff's Office wouldn't comment on the investigation. In a closed session at its Oct. 25 meeting, the School Board voted to expel the boys for 365 days. Superintendent Don Hodock said the decision is standard procedure. "The policy and practice for any drug-related infraction is expulsion," he said. He added, "We hope this action sends a strong message that it's not going to be tolerated in Bland County schools on any level." Parents of expelled students may petition for their children to be readmitted earlier, Hodock said. "If parents decide to do that, the board has approved that in every case thus far," he said. However, he noted, the School Board in the past has not allowed readmittance until the fall. School board member Roger Morehead declined to comment on the board's decision, beyond saying, "It's always a difficult decision when it involves young children like that." Hodock says he is not without compassion for everyone involved. "It hurts the School Board to have to deal with this. It hurts the families to have to deal with this. The boys are remorseful," he said. "It's making bad choices and having consequences." Siers told the School Board Wednesday in his presentation of the BHS' improvement plan that an April 2006 survey revealed that 59 percent of students at the high school had tried tobacco, alcohol or drugs. Siers said almost half that group, 47 percent, said they had tried tobacco. "I wouldn't say that it's a huge problem, but we know that it's in the community, and it's an issue our students face," Siers said. He added, "Our plan is to better educate our students about the effects of using alcohol, drugs and tobacco." - --- MAP posted-by: Elaine