YEARBOOK PAGES "CROSSED LINE"

Conifer - Families offended by photos and text of student alcohol and
drug use published in Conifer High School's yearbook can get their
money back or have their copies "treated," school officials said Monday.

"The issue quite honestly for me is there are some things in the
yearbook that I don't feel like I can defend," principal Pat Termin said.

"In looking at the overall tone and some specific pictures and some
specific quotes," Termin added, "I really do believe that we have
crossed the line."

Termin and yearbook adviser Amy McTague sent home letters to parents
of the school's 1,000 students on Monday about the situation.

McTague, who has overseen six previous Conifer yearbooks, apologized
for what she called "my poor judgment" and said that "some elements
are completely inappropriate."

The school district is investigating the situation and "will take the
appropriate action if necessary," a statement read. The probe is
expected to be completed within two weeks.

About two dozen parents have complained to Termin about four pages in
the yearbook.

Karen Marshall distributed a letter in which she said she was
"outraged" about the yearbook.

Two pages under the heading "Health - addicted to addictions" contain
photos and text about alcohol, cigarettes and prescription drugs,
along with photos of students smoking pot and using a bong.

Another page shows police officers "busting our parties" and refers
to law enforcement as "a necessary evil."

Under "Regrets and Mistakes," three girls are shown holding up a
citation for minor in possession of alcohol.

The situation "has been somewhat taken out of context," said Ryan
Sharp, 15, pointing out that the yearbook contains reasons why
students shouldn't do drugs.

Drew Daughtry, 15, agreed, saying, "I don't think it's that big of a
deal. It is what it is, and it's a student point of view. It's out
there. It's a part of life."

Termin noted that students enjoy First Amendment freedoms, except
when state and local policies prohibit any expression that encourages
unlawful acts.

She said families may return yearbooks and get a $58 refund, or they
can have the captions and text rewritten and reprinted with a sticker
applied over the pages.

The two facing pages of photos in the "Health" section can be glued together.

Termin said the yearbook revamping could begin June 1.

Rhonda Turner, whose daughter graduated from Conifer last year, said,
"It's really sad that it's gotten to the place where it (alcohol and
drug use) has gotten so acceptable."

Whatever discipline is meted out, Turner said, should be "stern
enough to show that this is unacceptable, not how cool it is. It's
dangerous, it's illegal and it kills kids."

The yearbooks were distributed May 11, the same day two Conifer
students died in a one-vehicle crash on South Elk Creek Road near Sphinx Park.

THC, the psychoactive substance found in marijuana, was found in the
bloodstream of the Jeep Cherokee's driver, Justin Dorrance, 16, of
Evergreen, the State Patrol said.

Dorrance died at the scene. Clyde Gallegos, 16, of Pine, died after
being airlifted to St. Anthony Central Hospital.

Staff writer Joey Bunch contributed to this report.