SCHOOL DISTRICT CONSIDERS TIGHTER SUBSTANCE-ABUSE POLICY

A broad-based Carmel Clay Schools committee has recommended changes to the
district's drug and alcohol policies that would affect student athletes
next fall and others shortly after.

Under the changes proposed during a School Board workshop Monday, athletes
in Grades 6-12 would face a "three-strike" system for drug, alcohol or
tobacco use starting next fall.

If adopted, the changes would tighten the district's longtime athletic code
by eliminating a probationary period after first offenses, increasing
penalties for tobacco use and adding a third violation.

The penalty for tobacco violations would be increased to the same level as
drug or alcohol offenses, and a third violation would remove an athlete
from sports through high school graduation.

Student athletes in Grades 6-12 currently sign agreements not to violate
the district's substance abuse policies on a year-round basis.

First and second offenses would remove athletes from sports for 365 days
each, with self-reporting and rehabilitation options available to reduce
first offense penalties to 25 percent.

"It's meant to be more of a deterrent than anything else," high school
athletic director Jim Inskeep told board members. "If you're going to
participate in athletics, we don't want you to do these things and, if you
do, there are going to be consequences."

The athletic code of conduct is among five "high priority" items that
include developing procedures for using Breathalyzers at school events,
extending conduct codes to academic and performing groups, and considering
a random drug-testing program.

The measures would apply to the district's three middle schools and the
high school.

"We're not asking you to approve these tonight," Superintendent Barb
Underwood told board members Monday night. "Our next step is to develop
plans; we need to hear from the community."

Underwood convened the 30-member drug and alcohol prevention committee at
the board's request in August after officials noted a sharp increase in
substance abuse violations last year.

"It was a dramatic increase, up from 30 students to 80," said student
services director Steve Dillon, who chaired the group.

In the 2003-04 school year, there were just under 7,000 students in Grades
6-12.

"Our goal is that 100 percent of our students would avoid substance abuse,
but 80 is too many," Dillon said.

Board member Joe Miller voiced concern Monday night about the three-strike
plan for athletes, which would make offenses cumulative for Grades 6-12.

"That's a long period of time. A lot can happen to a kid in seven years,"
he said.

Carmel senior Kyle Higgs, 18, was among students who served on the
committee and advised board members to approve the change.

"If we're committed to excellence, why is it so tough to ask a student not
to mess up three times?" he said Monday.

High school administrators said they want to send a strong message.

"We hope they realize their decisions have consequences, even for sixth-or
seventh-graders," said Principal John Williams. "They may make one mistake
or even two, but the third choice has to be the right decision."

Officials may consider adopting new athletic measures at their regular
board meeting Jan. 24.

Other high priority items were placed on a timetable.

Administrators will develop procedures for the use of Breathalyzers, which
the board approved in August, at school events -- including this year's
junior-senior prom.

Two new committees will explore random drug testing and expansion of
conduct codes to other student groups.

Underwood said she hopes code recommendations will be available for board
consideration this spring.

Recommendations about random drug tests are expected to take longer.

Three recommendations labeled moderate priorities were teacher training on
recognition of student drug use, publicity to increase public awareness of
programs and evaluation of current interventions.

Low priority items were installation of a drug-and-alcohol reporting
hotline and a poll of students in Grades 6-12 this spring.