11 COLLEYVILLE HERITAGE CHEERLEADERS ARE ACCUSED OF DRINKING ALCOHOL

Eleven cheerleaders at Colleyville Heritage High School face possible removal from the squad after being accused of drinking alcohol while attending a school-sponsored event before the school year opened, Grapevine-Colleyville district officials and parents confirmed yesterday.

Parents of the cheerleaders said they have hired attorneys to represent their daughters during expected hearings before school administrators and board members. They are expected to challenge a district policy that could bar their daughters from cheerleading and assign them to an alternative school.

The incident occurred during a cheerleading camp away from campus, according to Colleyville Heritage students and people involved in the issue.

Last night, school board President Mike Davis said he could not comment, but he read from a prepared statement issued by district spokeswoman Jeanne Guerra.

"This is a confidential student discipline issue," the statement reads. "To protect student confidentiality, there is no comment."

Davis said the district will not respond to questions about the incident.

Marcia Ritter, sponsor of the cheerleading squad, said no cheerleaders have been removed from the team. "A parent of two, I think, was told that, but then parents the next day were told that was still pending, that it is still being decided," she said.

She declined to comment further, saying that it would be premature. But she added, "It definitely has been very emotional."

According to the district's due process procedures, the students must present their case before the school principal. If they disagree with that decision, they may appeal to Assistant Superintendent John Bailey, and after that to Superintendent Jim Thompson.

The school board would hear an appeal of the superintendent's decision.

Bailey did not return telephone calls seeking comment yesterday afternoon.

Attorneys Greg Gray and Randy Myers have been hired by parents in the case, parents said. The attorneys were unavailable to comment yesterday.

Students involved in extracurricular activities at any Grapevine-Colleyville district middle school or high school are required to sign pledges that they will not use drugs or alcohol or attend parties where alcohol and drugs are available.

Those who break the pledge, which also must be signed by parents, are suspended from extracurricular activities for at least three weeks. Repeat offenders are prohibited from participating in sports, cheerleading, debating or any other extracurricular activity for one calendar year. To be reinstated in an activity, they and their parents must undergo counseling. After a second offense, students must pass a drug screening.

The policy was adopted in September 1998. A handful of students have been disciplined each year because of violating the pledge, district officials have said.

Cheerleaders can be removed from their squads for other reasons if they accumulate enough demerits. This summer, a 16-year-old cheerleader at Grapevine High School was removed from the squad for several infractions, including wearing a belly-button ring to class and fighting.

The 20-member Colleyville Heritage varsity cheerleading squad has won awards in national contests, including a December 1998 competition in Dallas, where it was judged best in Texas.

Yamil Berard, (817) 685-3813

Send comments to yberard@star-telegram.com