PRINCIPALS: PRAISES FOR ANTI-DRUG PLAN

A new code of conduct that spells out consequences for students who use
drugs or alcohol has been well-received by parents and students, local high
school principals said Wednesday.

High school principals in the Alamance-Burlington schools agreed over the
summer on the need for consistent treatment of students who participate in
sports and activities such as service clubs, band and chorus when they are
caught using or selling alcohol or illegal drugs. Punishments range from
being banned for the rest of the season or semester for a first offense
involving drug or alcohol use to being banned for the rest of the student's
time in high school. The minimum punishment for selling or distributing
drugs or alcohol is a ban for the rest of the school year. "Initial
reactions from parents and the community have been very positive," said
Kent Byrd, principal at Southern Alamance High School. He and other
principals attended a meeting of school board members and system
administrators Wednesday. Byrd said the guidelines are in part a response
to the arrest of dozens of students after an undercover drug operation in
the system's high schools during the 2003-04 school year. Ann Davis,
principal at Western Alamance High School, said parents applauded when she
discussed the policy at an orientation session. Roosevelt Perkins,
principal at Cummings High School, said he got a similar reaction when he
talked about the code with the school's athletic boosters. Superintendent
Jim Merrill said the guidelines aren't an official school system policy,
since they did not require school board approval. But he and the principals
said they send an important message to students about what is expected of them.

"We need to get the community behind us in this effort to make character an
issue," Byrd said.

Byrd said the policy, while outlining punishments for offenses, also deals
with treatment for drug or alcohol abuse for students who are eligible to
be reinstated to a team or other activity.

"Teenagers are going to make mistakes," Byrd said. "This code also includes
support." JoAnne Hayes, principal at Eastern Alamance High School, said she
has heard no complaints from students. She said most questions from
students have been about the lesser punishments the code spells out for
tobacco use. Some students asked her what would happen if a teacher or
principal saw them smoking away from school. Hayes said she told them
educators wouldn't be on the lookout for students smoking off campus, but
"We would have to address it if we became aware of it."

Students face a two-day suspension from their sport or activity if they are
caught smoking. The suspension is five days for a second offense and the
rest of the season or semester (or a minimum of 30 school days) for the
third offense.

School board chairman Tom Lambeth asked if principals had considered
requiring a minimum grade point average for students to participate in
activities outside of class.

Merrill said that had been discussed, but principals unanimously agreed
that "right now, we have enough happening" without adding that requirement.
The state's high school athletic association already requires students to
meet standards involving class attendance and performance.