A MOTRIN HEADACHE

Court Is Wrong Place To Judge School Discipline

Jefferson County school officials were wrong in ordering a Clay-Chalkville
sophomore to alternative school for taking a common, over-the-counter drug
at school to relieve cramps - a zero-tolerance approach that misses the mark.

But school officials are right to argue that the case doesn't warrant
intervention from courts. This is a disciplinary matter that is best left
to the school system.

One had hoped school officials would have concluded that the punishment
meted Ysatis Jones - 15 days in the system's alternative school - didn't
fit the offense. A teacher saw Jones take an ibuprofen pill at a water
fountain on Dec. 3. Jones said she took the medicine because of menstrual
cramps.

Jones' family sued in court after the county school board held firm on the
punishment. Jefferson County Circuit Judge Houston Brown ruled in January
that Jones could attend classes while she appealed her punishment.

It's unfortunate that this case ended up in court. School discipline
policies aren't something that judges should decide.

School board members, the superintendent and other school administrators
should be allowed leeway to set and enforce school discipline. Even when
they use poor judgment, it's still a matter that ought to remain within
their purview.

For the court to intervene on behalf of Jones could set a bad precedent and
encourage more students and parents to look to courts when they disagree
with school disciplinary measures.

Of course, the school system bears some responsibility for the case landing
in court. Taking Motrin for cramps shouldn't be treated as a major drug
offense, and assignment to alternative is too harsh a punishment.

Unfortunately, Jones' case isn't unusual for the county school system. Last
fall, at least 10 students were sent to alternative school for violating
the school system's over-the-counter medicine policy. School officials
found themselves in a position where they couldn't easily let one student
off the hook after sending at least nine others to alternative school for
similar offenses.

But rather than fighting this matter out in court, the school system should
review its medicine policies and make reasonable changes. Fortunately,
school officials promise such a review.

In the meantime, the Jones family and school officials should settle this
dispute - outside of court.