ZERO TOLERANCE UNDER REVIEW

Principals Against Drug Policy Change

Escambia County principals say the issue is simple: Changing the School
District's zero-tolerance policy on drugs will mean more drugs on school
campuses.

Middle and high school principals met with School Board members Wednesday
to voice their concerns with a proposed policy that would allow students to
turn in drugs or weapons without fear of expulsion.

Board member Gary Bergosh suggested the policy, which is called "safe
haven," as a way to ensure students who intend no harm are not unjustly
punished. Bergosh said the policy would be used in cases where a student
found drugs on campus or mistakenly brought prescription medicine or a
pocketknife to school.

He wants a board policy that would allow students, as soon as they find the
item or realize it's in their possession, to turn it over to a school
official without threat of punishment.

"I think it's something we need to put in the handbook," he said. "This
will probably never be utilized except in a rare or extraordinary situation."

Under Escambia and Santa Rosa counties' zero tolerance policies, possession
of drugs or a weapon is enough to warrant expulsion.

The issue ballooned into a nationwide debate in September when a Pensacola
High honor student was recommended for expulsion after she found a bag of
pills on campus. Teresa Elenz, who later was reinstated by an independent
hearing officer, said she was afraid to turn the drugs in because of the
district's zero-tolerance policy. She said she intended to dispose of the
pills - which turned out to be over-the-counter sinus medication and a few
prescription-strength pills - but was caught before she could.

Principals at Wednesday's meeting referred to a "forgiveness policy" in use
now. The policy is, in essence, a safe harbor policy, they said.

The problem, Bergosh said, is the policy isn't written, and students and
parents he's spoken with are not aware of it.

"I'm talking about a simple policy that states if you find something on
campus, you self-identify, you won't be expelled," Bergosh said.

But principals said a written policy will be a loophole students will use
to get out of trouble.

"I don't think I've ever been in an expulsion hearing with drugs where a
student didn't say either 'It wasn't mine,' or 'I was holding it for
someone,"' said Bill Slayton, principal of Woodham High. "It's never theirs."

Alan Scott, the district's director of secondary education, said zero
tolerance policies are mandated by state law.

"It doesn't mince words," he said.

Bergosh asked principals to write a short summary of what they think about
the policy and to include recommendations of how they believe it should be
worded. He plans to work with board attorney Francisco Negron to draft the
policy and bring it to the board for approval in December.

He said all the policy will do is put in writing what principals are
practicing and will prevent students from using "I was afraid to turn it
in" as an excuse.

"It's not something they say after the fact," Bergosh said. "They have to
turn it in themselves."

Board members gave Bergosh tentative support for the policy at their last
meeting.

Board member Cary Stidham said the policy shouldn't change anything for
principals.

"The policy he's talking about really isn't for administrators," she said.
"It's for students to read so they can't come back and say 'I didn't know.' "

Despite the assurances, Tate High Principal Carolyn Spooner is afraid the
policy will undermine the district's policy on drugs and weapons.

"If we take a lighter position on drugs, we'll have more drugs on campus,"
she said. "It's as simple as that."

Alan Scott, director of secondary education: "It (zero tolerance) is not a
policy of this board. It is a mandate by state law and school code."

Escambia Superintendent Jim Paul: "In certain cases, the principals' hands
are, in fact, tied.

Woodham High Principal Bill Slayton: "We seem to be dealing with this
situation because of a single case. You don't know how many situations we
have handled without this coming to you. Our record, I think, is pretty
good on common sense."

Washington High Principal Nettie Eaton: "It's going to increase our problem."

Board member Gary Bergosh: "I think you are practicing the policy. It's
just not written."

Tate High Principal Carolyn Spooner: "Students know what the rules are.
They know if they made a mistake and brought something to school
unintentionally, they can turn that in....My concern is: We're going to see
an increase of drugs on campus."