STUDENT'S MOTRIN CASE POSTPONED

The Clay-Chalkville High sophomore ordered to alternative school for a
month after taking ibuprofen will be allowed to attend her regular
classes for three more months while lawyers prepare for a new hearing.

Jefferson County Circuit Judge Houston L. Brown on Friday granted a
postponement requested by attorneys who said they needed more time to
prepare. The Jefferson County school board agreed not to enforce the
discipline while Ysatis Jones awaits her appeal on April 9.

The school system barred the 15-year-old from Clay-Chalkville after a
teacher saw her swallowing Motrin at a water fountain to ease cramps.
Jones returned to school nine days ago under the judge's order after
missing a month of class while she and her mother disputed the punishment.

The Jefferson County school system and most others in Alabama, makes
possession of unauthorized prescription and over-the-counter
medication a major drug offenseStudents cannot take them without
written parental permission, and also cannot share them, to prevent
allergic reactions, overdoses and misuse. Infractions are viewed as
unacceptable health risks and punished under a zero-tolerance policy.

Jones was one of 10 students ordered to alternative school last fall
for taking over-the-counter medication without parental and
administrative consent.

Superintendent Phil Hammonds said it would be unfair to change the
disciplinary procedures for Jones while others had complied with the
punishment. He reiterated that the case would likely prompt a serious
review of the student code of conduct this year.

Rachel Jones, the girl's mother, objected to sending her daughter to
alternative school, not to her being punished. The girl has a clean
disciplinary record and a B average. She did not want her searched
daily and placed with students who had committed violations such as
assault and illegal drug use.