DRUGS ON CAMPUS

Security measures at Nogales High School were an issue last week at a
meeting of the Nogales Unified School District No. 1 board.

In a previous session, board member Raul Romero requested a report on
what the school was doing to prevent illegal drugs on campus.

At the meeting on Monday, Sept. 12, Superintendent Guillermo Zamudio
said the head of security for NUSD, George Alarcon would be reporting
to him on a daily and weekly basis.

"What are we doing to stop the sale of drugs at the school?" Romero
asked. "I've spoken to some students and they feel pressured and
scared about what's going on."

Alarcon said that there was a policy he had to follow. "All we need
is reasonable suspicion and probable cause to perform a search" on
students' belongings for drugs and illegal paraphernalia, he said.

There were 56 cases of possession of narcotics last year that were
presented to the Santa Cruz County attorney.

Alarcon did not say what the outcome of each case was.

So far this year, there have been eight cases of possession of drugs,
he said. "We know who's there; we know who's doing it. But because
we've rushed into situations on previous occasions we've gotten into
trouble," Alarcon said.

A team of 11 security employees, including Alarcon and four
additional on-call personnel, try to obtain background information
before acting on a situation involving drug use or possession, he said.

In response to a question by Board Clerk Heidi Ortiz whether security
personnel was adequately trained, Alarcon noted that six of his
personnel were former police officers.

Hector Arana, NUSD board president, asked Alarcon to return with
information on what the board could do to combat drugs on campus.

Zamudio said that Alarcon would have the information "a couple of
meetings down the line."

Board member Frank Morales asked, "Is there any type of program for
parents? Because the parents also have a responsibility with their kids."

Karen Copley, of student services, said there was no specific
programs for parents, but the schools did have the Drug Abuse
Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) and Gang Resistance Education and
Training (G.R.E.A.T.) programs.

"In the student handbook there's also a toll-free number where
students can call and report illegal activity. It's an anonymous hot line."

In other business, the board also discussed possible action on a
teacher's breach of contract.

"Normally, when a teacher has breached a contract, the board has had
the inclination to go to the state and request their certification be
removed," Zamudio said.

Arana said the board could not "impose on the individual's means of
making a livelihood."

The board decided to implement a policy charging teachers financially
if a contract is breached. The teacher would also have to seek the
board's permission to end the contract.

A retirement request from Wade Carpenter Middle Academy Principal
Rebecca Holler was approved.

Also, it was requested and approved that a retirement policy be
waived in Holler's case. The policy states that an employee must
notify the board 12 months prior to his or her retirement to receive
compensation.

Holler "will be on medical leave for 12 weeks with no pay under the
discretion of the superintendent. The pay is from her unused sick and
vacation leaves. If she wishes to still be paid after the 12 weeks
are over, she will have to come before the board," said Vicky DeGiso
of human resources.

The next NUSD board meeting is scheduled Monday, Sept. 26 at 5:30
p.m. in the Anita L. Lichter boardroom at 310 W. Plum St.