Pubdate: Mon, 25 Oct 1999 Source: Orange County Register (CA) Copyright: 1999 The Orange County Register Contact: http://www.ocregister.com/ Author: Wes Orshoski, OCR TUSTIN MAY RELAX 'ZERO TOLERANCE' EDUCATION: The school board might change the transfer rule for drug-or alcohol-related offenses. TUSTIN - Students in the Tustin Unified School District may no longer be automatically transferred for violating the district's "zero tolerance" drug and alcohol policy. The school board is considering several changes to the policy, including preventing students from being automatically transferred upon their first violation of the code. One proposed change - to be discussed and possibly adopted tonight - alters wording in one section of the policy from "(students) shall be subject to suspension and involuntary transfer" to "shall be subject to ... suspension and may be subject to involuntary transfer." Another change would require students to adhere to the policy at "school-related" events such as a leadership camp, not only school-sponsored events. Students now caught in possession of or under the influence of drugs or alcohol at school, during lunch or at school-sponsored events are automatically suspended for five days and then transferred to antoher school in the district for up to two semesters - except in cases of "extreme circumstances." Some parents have criticized the board since it cited "extreme circumstances" as a reason for not transferring nine Foothill High School Associated Student Body members accused of drinking vodka at a leadership camp in August. The board would not define "extreme circumstances." "It probably took these ASB kids to get everybody's attention," said Peggy Pierson, whose son is one of the 45 students who has been transferred for violating the policy since it was adopted in 1997. School board member Ann Albertson said she wants the policy changed to give more control to administrators at each school. - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D