Source: Santa Maria Times (CA) Contact: FAX: 1-805-928-5657; Santa Maria Times, 3200 Skyway Drive, Santa Maria, CA 93456-0400 Pubdate: Saturday, January 17, 1998 Author: Jennifer Best, Times Staff Writer Page: A-3; Section: Education 'DARE' RITE SHOWS EFFECT OF PROTEST Santa Maria elementary school teachers continued their protest against the school district Thursday by skipping a Drug Abuse Resistance Education graduation ceremony. More than 60 Rice School sixth-graders and their parents gathered at the school Thursday evening for the ceremony, which recognizes the students who have completed the program. But the three teachers whose classes were graduating stayed at home. Last week, the teachers' union, Santa Maria Elementary Association, asked its members not to do any work beyond that required by an existing contract with Santa Maria-Bonita School District. The move comes after mediation efforts failed to settle contract negotiations last month. Speaking through district spokesman Maggie White, who did not attend the event, Principal Richard Blowers said the students and parents were very happy with the event. It was a packed house, White said. But the teachers' decision not to attend the ceremony did not sit well with the police officers who work closely with the school through the program. "The police department in no way wants to become embroiled in the current labor issues with the school district," said Santa Maria Police Chief Dan Shiner. "On the other hand we know that parents and children, not to mention our own DARE officers, were disappointed that the teachers, as a sign of protest, opted not to attend the DARE graduation." Shiner said that while the department was disappointed, it recognized the teachers' right to protest. "But we'd certainly otherwise be hopeful that the protest would not push upon such important issues as the message of staying away from drugs and making good decisions and stay- ing out of youth violence," he said. White said she could understand why the officers would be disappointed by the lack of support. "They put a lot of work into those lessons and putting together those graduations," she said. The event demonstrated that many school activities will continue even though many teachers opted to drop all activities not included in their contracts. "Some of the clubs that depend on teachers will drop to the wayside, but other things like school site committees and textbook committees will continue with or without teacher input," White said. White added that some teachers have opted to continue with their volunteer efforts and other extra activities for which they receive hourly pay above and beyond their contracted salaries. "I know there are a lot of teachers out there who are still helping their students outside of class and who are there for their students," she said.