Schools: The District Adds Flexibility To Its 'Zero Tolerance' Rules.

TUSTIN - The school board Monday night made interim modifications to the
district's strict "zero tolerance" rules with more changes to follow next
month.

By a 3-2 vote, the board decided to change some of the policy's language to
give principals and a Student Placement Review Committee some flexibility
in meting out punishments for first-offense drug and alcohol infractions.

"We can't throw away students who are caught as a deterrent," said trustee
Ann Albertson.

The new policy says students who violate drug and alcohol rules my be
subject to involuntary transfer or expulsion. The old policy required the
transfer in all first-offense cases. A mandatory five-day suspension
remains in effect.

Another amendment says the policy covers drug or alcohol violations by
students during, going to or coming from school-related activities, in
addition to school-sponsored functions.

The modifications were made in the wake of public out-cry from a recent
case in which eight Foothill High School Student Council members were
allowed to stay at their school after they acknowledged drinking vodka at a
leadership camp.

Board President Jane Bauer directed members of the district staff to
strengthen the policy by drafting additional revisions for the board to
consider at its Nov. 8 meeting.

The revisions would include requiring students who violate "zero tolerance"
rules to sign a behavior and attendance contract and requiring that the
students and their parents agree to family drug and alcohol counseling.