SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS MEET WITH STUDENTS AFTER LOCKDOWN

After almost two weeks of discussion between students and
administrators, the effects of a school-wide lockdown drill can still
be felt throughout the halls of Scituate High School.

The school was the site of lockdown drill coordinated by Scituate
Police earlier this month that lead to the arrest of seven students
on various charges, including drug and weapons possession. Students
and teachers were forced to remain in their classrooms for nearly two
hours as police searched the building and student parking lot for drugs.

The drill, which started as a routine run though the school,
escalated to a legitimate lockdown after dogs brought in by police
allegedly detected traces of marijuana in the building. A cardboard
box allegedly containing marijuana and various drug paraphernalia was
found in the building, while police said canines also found a scarf
with traces of marijuana in a music room and additional drugs in a
student locker.

Police said they also found drugs, bongs, beer and in one instance a
weapon in plain sight upon searching four vehicles in the student parking lot.

While police and school officials have received accolades for their
treatment of the incident, several students reacted with anger and
confusion to the drill, which some saw as an invasion of their Fourth
Amendment rights. Last week, a group of students gathered outside the
school in protest of the drill, which administrators coordinate on
occasion with police to prepare students and faculty on how to react
in the event of a school-wide emergency. Students and faculty are not
given notice of the drills in advance.

Superintendent of Schools Mark Mason said following the student
protest, he and Lt. Det. Michael Stewart of the Scituate Police
Department, as well as administrators within the school, met with
students to address their concerns regarding the drill. The
discussion, he said, was productive and left students with a better
understanding of what happened.

"The students wanted to be heard regarding their perspective of what
happened that day," Mason said. "They were very courteous and
respectful and they made many good points."

Last Friday, fact sheets with information regarding the drills were
distributed to students throughout the schools, while high school
Principal Donna Nuzzo-Mueller met with a group of about 30 students
to further discuss issues regarding the lockdown. She said much of
the concern from students came from a misunderstanding regarding the
schools' jurisdiction over students and staff, which is broader than
that of the police.

"A lot of students don't understand that schools can search through
their lockers and their other property if we think we have reason
to," Nuzzo-Mueller said.

Reflecting on the reaction from students, Nuzzo-Mueller said while
she did not anticipate last week's protest, she wasn't surprised. She
said it's natural for students, particularly upper classmen, to test
the boundaries of authority within the school from time to time.

"It doesn't surprise me," she said. "There are students who question
authority and the rules, and I think that's healthy. Many of the
seniors are ready to be done with school and move on, but they're not
done yet, and that sometimes can lead to some frustration.

"One of our goals here within this district is to promote active
citizenship, and this is a prime example of that," Mason said of the
response from students. "The kids should be applauded."

School committee members commended administrators for addressing
issues from students Monday night.

"I'm glad we're reacting to students in such a way that their
concerns are being validated," committee chairman Libby Michaud said.

The response from students has led to a reevaluation of the
district's lockdown policy. Mason said he has met with Scituate
Police Chief Brian Stewart to discuss alternatives to the drill that
better address students' concerns. He said whatever the outcome might
be in the future, administrators within the district will remain
committed to keeping the schools safe and free of drugs and alcohol.

"We're not looking to put anyone through an intimidating exercise,
but we have to take a bold stance on these issues," Mason said.