DRUGS LEAD ZERO-TOLERANCE

Leading Offense In Memphis Schools; Weapons Next Closest

Illegal drug possession was the most common zero-tolerance offense
recorded in Memphis City Schools last year, following a trend in
Tennessee's other urban schools.

The offense accounted for 465 of the 751 reported incidents in the
2005-06 Memphis school year, and accounted for the highest percentage
of offenses in Knox and Davidson counties, according to the state's
latest report on zero-tolerance offenses.

The data, reported by schools every 20 days to district officials,
come from the 75 schools that reported zero-tolerance offenses in
2005-06. They represent 39 percent of the district's schools.

Schools also reported incidents in five other categories: possession
of firearms, battery against teachers or staff, possession of weapons
other than firearms, possession of alcohol, and other.

Zero-tolerance offenses bring expulsion from regular school and
enrollment in an alternative program if the student is still of
mandatory school age.

The numbers don't provide a complete picture of what a school may
look like today, said chief academic officer Alfred Hall, but they
are a valuable reference in tailoring programs to a school's specific
needs.

"Having data like this available, there's a sense of excitement and
growing concern," he said. "Does it represent an increase of
incidents or are we better at tracking them?"

Northside High School reported 42 total incidents, more than any
other school. Of those, 30 were drug-related. But the school reported
fewer of the more severe offenses.

With four floors, 30 exits and nearly as many bathrooms, Northside
provides a challenge to anyone who wants to watch all areas, said
principal Carolyn Currie. But adding more administrative staff has
helped boost adult visibility, as has a successful partnership with
the local police precinct, she said.

"The number of incidents reported over the last year will show
students and parents that education is our priority," Currie said.
"Anything that gets in the way of that will not be tolerated at Northside."

High schools reported the most incidents, a fact reflected in 51 of
the district's 60 new campus monitors being sent to high schools.

At Chickasaw Middle, nine of its 13 offenses were weapons
possessions, the second-largest category overall.

Principal Willie Tobias said the school has staggered the class
schedule, and teachers escort students to their next class in an
effort to have more adult supervision.

Those changes, along with increased adult presence and more parental
involvement, have made a difference, he said.

"We've had a wonderful start of school," Tobias said. "It has really
been good. The kids have been upbeat, focused on their lessons and
happy."

Parents and students play a key role in eliminating zero-tolerance
offenses, said Cordova High principal Ben Phillips. Cordova had 25
incidents, mostly drug-related, but a few involved alcohol possession.

Phillips has told students, who he says seem to be in the midst of an
"anti-snitching movement" they have a responsibility to report the
present of marijuana or other illegal substances in the building.
"That is no longer snitching," he said. "That becomes the right
thing to do."