WOODLAND HIGH SCHOOL GOES TO DRUG-SNIFFING DOG

PROSPECT -- A four-legged soldier in the war against drugs will make
the rounds at Woodland High School this fall.

The Region 16 Board of Education approved a plan Wednesday to allow
state police to bring a drug-sniffing dog into the high school,
which serves students from Beacon Falls and Prospect.

High school Principal Arnold Frank is in the process of drafting a
letter that would be sent home to parents in September or October,
informing them of the new policy.

Frank and Board of Education members emphasized bringing the dog
into the schools was not in response to any incidents or trends at the school.

Rather, the move was a proactive measure to discourage students from
bringing illegal substances to school.

"This is not a reaction to any perceived problem or specific trend,"
said board Chairman David Byrne.

"We have very safe schools, and this measure will continue to allow
us to make our schools as safe and drug free as possible."

Last year, Woodland had 1,944 written referrals, filed by a teacher,
administrator or hall monitor; but of the 789 students, more than
500 received no referrals.

"We haven't had many incidents," Frank said. "We have had a handful,
and this is meant to discourage that. It's a very proactive measure."

A policy adopted in 2000 by the Connecticut Association of Boards of
Education allows all school areas to be searched, including lockers,
empty classrooms, parking lots and storage areas.

The dog would make the rounds of the school once per season -- fall,
winter and spring -- on an unannounced tour. It was not clear
Wednesday where the dog would come from.

During searches, the dog is kept on a leash and would do the
searching while students are in class. It goes through intensive
training, officials have said.

Board member Marie Delage said using a drug-sniffing dog in schools
is not a new concept, and other districts have done so. Newtown,
Waterbury and Southington are among several districts that have used
drug-sniffing dogs.

"I think it's a wonderful thing and will be very well received," she said.