TEMPERS FLARE OVER DRUG CASE ACTIONS

GROTON - Groton-Dunstable Regional School Committee members clashed
last week when Chairman Paul Funch revisited recent disciplinary
action taken against several high school students.

Funch raised the subject unannounced, during the meeting's "questions
and comments" segment, stating his belief that punishment meted out
to the students was too harsh.

Four high school students were recently caught on school grounds in
possession of marijuana and were suspended until the end of the
current semester.

High School Principal Shelley Marcus Cohen had recommended expulsion
for at least one of the students, but was later overruled by school
Superintendent Alan Genovese.

The chairman made his remarks in response to a petition by the
students' parents, who made the same charges at the Dec. 3 School
Committee meeting.

Funch said he is concerned there might not be proper understanding
between the committee and the administration in how decisions
regarding discipline are reached.

For example, Funch noted, there is a contradiction about the School
Committee's authority between its own policy handbook and what is
allowed by the state.

According to state law, student discipline issues belong in the hands
of the school administration while the handbook seems to allow for
some involvement by the committee.

Citing the handbook, Funch said the punishment meted out to the
students would go on their records, would result in grade reductions
and suspension from school, and force them to be responsible for
keeping up with their own course work.

Suspension from school, Funch said, is clearly indicated in the
handbook as being a "last resort" but seems to have been meted out as
a first resort.

Funch had not yet finished when member Berta Erickson objected to
bringing up the subject without all parties being present.

"I'm tired of being taken by surprise," Erickson said.

Member Chuck McKinney agreed with Erickson, saying that Funch had
"stepped over the line."

Nevertheless, Funch persisted, offering a list of recommended actions
including a review of drug and alcohol policies by the Policy
Subcommittee and compilation of every expulsion and suspension made
in the past.

"I'm just trying to get the School Committee to weigh in on this,"
Funch said.

Member John Sjoberg said members themselves are unclear about exactly
what their own handbook contains about student discipline, and
suggested a slower pace. The committee should get its own house in
order before pointing fingers, he said.

With rising temper, committee member Peter Carson chided McKinney for
"sitting there with a smile on your face," not taking the issue seriously.

Carson said the administration is not following the school's policy
on drug-related offenses. Did those disciplined present any danger?

"I think we should have some sort of discussion," said
Carson.

It's not the language of the policy that's important, said Genovese,
but what the committee thinks is the appropriate response for the
infractions.

"The principal showed poor judgment," said Funch. "There was no
deterrent here, only punishment."

Deterrent was part of the decision, returned Genovese, which is to
keep drugs out of the school.

"There is a right and wrong way to do things and this is a perfect
example of how not to handle an agenda item," said McKinney of the
direction the discussion had taken.

He said, to comment on a case the committee does not have enough
information on, is irresponsible. There is no need to blame the
superintendent or the principal, he said.

"Shut this discussion down and get Policy working on it," recommended
an exasperated McKinney.

"To discuss policy is fine," said Erickson, "but to bring
personalities and individuals in is just wrong."

"Well, it looks like policy is not being followed and we should look
into it," said Funch.

Agreeing that school disciplinary policies on drug and alcohol
possession is a legitimate issue for review but without taking any
particular cases into account, committee members voted unanimously on
a motion by Erickson to drop the subject for the night and revisit
it in the future when tempers have cooled.