NEWPORT SCHOOL BOARD STUDIES NEW DRUG RULES

In reaction to an underage drinking scandal that police said included
a school board member, two teachers and high school students, the
Newport school board took steps Wednesday to tighten the district's
drug and alcohol policies.

At the recommendation of Superintendent Michael Brandt, the board
authorized him to:

Research drug-testing policies in other districts.

Form a task force to study a random drug-testing policy for students.

Create a code of conduct for students who want to participate in
sports and other extra-curricular activities.

The last would enable the district's schools to discipline students
who violate the code at any time, not just while on school property
or at school activities.

Both students and their parents would have to sign the code document,
Brandt said.

He gave the board a copy of a draft code, which he said he hoped to
have in effect sometime in December. It would prohibit students from
having or being under the influence of drugs, alcohol or tobacco. It
also would prohibit acts of vandalism and possession of a weapon.

Those who sign the policy also could never wear clothes "adorned with
sexually suggestive slogans, profanity, lewd pictures," or which
might offend another student's religion, race or national origin.

Brandt hoped the task force would have recommendations by February so
that the board could approve a policy before extracurricular
activities begin next school year.

Staff need to study the drug-testing issue, Brandt said, because "we
don't want to knee-jerk and come in here with something half-baked."

Extra-curricular activities are a privilege, not a right, he said.

The board approved Brandt's proposals 3-0, with members Jim Hesch and
Mary Crank absent.

There was little discussion, except that board member Robert Usleaman
said he wanted Brandt to define extracurricular activity in the final
version of the code of conduct.

Dan Beach, who has a son in the Newport High School band, told the
board he thought the board should extend drug testing to school
staff. "It would be a good example for the students if the teachers
were tested as well," he said.

The issue of students' drinking and using drugs surfaced Nov. 3, when
Newport police charged Brandon Hall with second- and third-degree
unlawful transaction with a minor. Hall, 25, of Dayton, was arrested
at Newport High School, where he had taught math for three years and
served as the head volleyball coach. Police said that Hall admitted
buying alcohol for students, drinking it with them and also using
money they gave him to buy marijuana for them.

On Nov. 8, police charged school board member Hesch and his wife,
Helen, a teacher at Newport Middle School, with third-degree unlawful
transaction with a minor. They are accused of letting their son, a
football player, regularly drink alcohol with Hall and other students
at their home on Grandview Avenue.

Police said Hall regularly met students at the Hesch home to smoke
pot and drink.

Hall resigned his teaching job on Friday, and Helen Hesch was
suspended from teaching without pay for 20 days, pending a review of
her status.

The situation took on greater drama because football coach John
Schlarman allowed the Hesches' son to start in Newport High's playoff
loss Friday against Mercer County.

Some parents complained, saying that demonstrated a double standard
for athletes, but school officials said they couldn't police student
behavior off campus or outside school events. The new code of conduct
would change that.