NEENAH SCHOOLS LIKELY TO RETAIN 'NO TOLERANCE' DRUG ABUSE POLICY

NEENAH - Although its tough stance against substance abuse has not decreased
the number of student expulsions as hoped, the Neenah Board of Education
will likely maintain its existing zero-tolerance policy with minimal
changes.

On Tuesday night the board reviewed proposed revisions that were largely
minor in nature. The principal changes provide for additional options for
student counseling, and a lifting of the present ban on cell phones.

Pagers and cell phones were previously viewed as a means of facilitating the
sale of drugs and other mood-altering substances.

"Cell phones are almost a part of people's bodies these days," said Jeff
Zdrale, director of curriculum and instructional support services.

Under the proposed revision policy, both devices may be brought onto school
grounds but can only be used except with the approval of a school
administrator.

Instead of mandating participation in an in-school counseling program,
students found under the influence of controlled substances will be able to
get help through a variety of programs both on and off school grounds.

Formal action on the policy changes is expected Aug. 19.

In addition to these revisions, the board will be looking into changing the
package of post-expulsion services offered to expelled students.

At present a classroom alternative is provided on the second floor of the
administration building downtown.

The cost of this separate instruction is estimated at $68,000.

In future, expelled students may be spending shorter periods of time in this
setting.

More may be allowed back into the high school on a probationary basis, while
others may be receiving homebound instruction.

"These recommendations seem to be the best way to serve these students,"
said board president Dorothy Tews.

It is also hoped to reduce the number of high school students coming into
the administration building.

For the past several years at least five students have been attended class
there at the beginning of every school year. Zdrale expects there to be
seven in September.

"Perhaps we won't see the traffic upstairs we've seen in past years," he
said.