DRUG POLICY NOT TO LIKING OF SD8 PARENTS

The proposed drug and alcohol policy for School District No. 8
(Kootenay Lake) isn't sitting well with all parents, according to
Nelson resident Lenora Trenaman of the District Parent Advisory Council.

She spoke against the draft during Tuesday's board meeting in Creston,
saying it is too punitive, doesn't promote education or offer enough
support, and isn't in the best interests of students.

Nelson trustee Bob Henderson, however, served notice of motion to
adopt the policy at the next board meeting Feb.1 in Nelson.

"The policy committee has taken this policy very seriously," he said.
"The well-being of the students involved is first and foremost."

"The policy in my mind, is also made for all students in our
schools."

The policy calls for a first-time offender attending school while
under the influence, or in possession of illegal drugs, alcohol or
inhalants to be suspended until a meeting between parents and the
principal can be arranged "to develop a plan of action. The plan of
action may include some form of restitution."

Subsequent offences call for some "form of drug and alcohol
intervention" and a meeting of the school's discipline committee.

Trafficking, meanwhile, results in an indefinite suspension and
referral to the discipline committee. Consequences could be as severe
as expulsion, depending on the circumstances.

School Board Briefs

Renovations to the former South Creston elementary school came in
under budget. The $186,789 cost of the project was $16,211 below the
$203,000 allowance

The renamed Creston Education Centre houses the district's special
services staff (such as speech therapists), technology department,
general office, meeting room, Creston Valley Family Place and Homelinks.

Preliminary enrolment projections for 2005-06 are for just over 5,400
students in the district, down 200 from September 2004.

Fifty - five Korean pupils were engaged in a winter program in SD8,
with two chaperones based in Nelson and one each in Creston and Kaslo.

District principal Kathy Bedard obtained a $47,000 grant for the
Education Ministry to conduct literacy and numeracy programs
throughout the district.