SCHOOL BANS SACK LUNCHES, BAKED GOODS

Drug-Laced Brownies Prompt New Rule

MISSION, -- Sack lunches and baked goods have been added to the list of
illicit materials not allowed into Sharyland High School.

"We're just doing this so we can be more aware and provide a safe
environment for our students," said Rene Reyna, a spokesman for Sharyland
School District.

The decision was made after a 17-year-old student at the school allegedly
took a batch of brownies laced with marijuana to give to his friends last
week. Mission police officials said the student gave some of the brownies
to five of his classmates, one of whom got sick and was treated by the
school nurse.

The boy was arrested and charged with a felony count of delivery of marijuana.

Reyna said school officials will meet over the summer to establish
permanent guidelines for the matter.

"We're not allowing any baked goods at the school district for the
remainder of the year," Reyna said. "It will be re-evaluated this summer
and a policy will be in place for the next school year."

Sack lunches have been banned from the school for the remainder of the
school year with one exception: parents will be allowed to take a sack
lunch to their child.

The new rule means students accustomed to taking baked goods for
end-of-the-year parties and birthday celebrations will have to find an
alternative way to celebrate.

"I think they may be overreacting a little bit," said Casey Leys, a senior
at Sharyland High School. "In a sense, it is right to check, but to ban all
types of baked goods, it's not fair."

Leys said not all the students are aware of the new rule and that some have
had items confiscated by faculty.

"A girl brought cupcakes to celebrate something going on in class and
because of the rule that was put in place and she didn't know about it, the
cupcakes got confiscated," Leys said.