Source: New Haven Register (CT) Pubdate: 4 Mar 1999 Copyright: 1999, New Haven Register Contact: http://www.ctcentral.com/cgi-bin/w3com/start Forum: http://www.ctcentral.com/ Author: Robert Storace 3 SUSPENDED FOR SMOKING GRASS ANSONIA - Three Ansonia High School students were suspended for up to one year this week for smoking marijuana on school grounds, but not before each student apologized to the Board of Education. Superintendent of Schools Douglas Rudig said the three teen-age boys would be allowed to return to classes April 26 if they acted properly in the school's alternative education program. "They were very remorseful," Rudig said of the three students who were at the private expulsion hearing Tuesday at school board headquarters. "Any use of illegal substances is a very serious issue. But, more importantly it effects students' health, safety and their own future." While it is important to punish the students involved Rudig said, "the bigger message is the future of the students. When students make a mistake, we need to deal with that directly. We also need to help them rectify the mistake, learn from it and take responsibility for it in the future." That is why, Rudig said, the students would be allowed to return to regular classes if they complete the alternative education program. The school district pays for the program, which is housed in a small building on school grounds. The program teaches, along with others, students who are expelled by the school district. Rudig did stress that the alleged violation did not involve the sale of marijuana, only its use by those allegedly involved. A police investigation found no basis for arrests and turned the case over the school district. The number of school expulsions has declined dramatically this year due in part to the district's zero-tolerance policy toward drugs, alcohol and weapons, school officials said. This week's expulsions were the second time students were expelled this school year. In December, a Middle School student was expelled for a violent incident on school grounds. "We have had fewer and fewer expulsions in recent years," said Board of Education Chairman Beverly Tidmarsh, who said part of the decrease is due to more of an awareness among young people. "Students understand more of what the rules are," Tidmarsh said. "Board members spent a lot of time at the high school level recently explaining disciplinary policy and what the consequences would be. The discussions made them more aware." There were six expulsion hearings during the 1997-98 school year. - --- MAP posted-by: Mike Gogulski