CHELTENHAM DISTRICT CLOSING IN ON NEW DRUG, ALCOHOL POLICY

The Cheltenham School Board's Policies Committee met again Tuesday night to
discuss possible changes to the school's drug and alcohol policy.

At the meeting's end it seemed apparent the board was in total or near total
agreement on three of the proposed changes: expanded use of breathalyzers by
administrators at the school, allowing student automobiles to be searched
with a reasonable suspicion on the school grounds as well as at the location
of any school-sponsored event and requiring a mandatory 10-day suspension on
a student's first offense.

Currently, the school does not have access to the use of a breathalyzer
without a police officer being present to administer the test and monitor
results. With the proposed change, the district would train administrators
on the use of breathalyzers.

"The use of a breathalyzer serves as a deterrent," said Assistant
Superintendent Susan Beerman. "We can also use it as an educational and
preventative tool."

For a student to be tested an administrator must have a reasonable suspicion
the student is indeed under the influence of alcohol. Current guidelines
cover such behavior as impaired speech, impaired coordination, glazed eyes
and alcohol on the breath.

There was not much discussion when the matter of student automobile searches
was brought to the table. Pending the legality of searching a student's car
off the school grounds, the board agreed that searches are sometimes
necessary.

Most board and community members were comfortable with a minimum 10-day
suspension with a minimum of three out-of-school days for any student
violating the drug and alcohol policy. The point of discussion came as to
whether the suspension should be a 10-day out-of-school suspension, a 10-day
in-school suspension or a variation of the two.

"I'm concerned with mixing students who have committed a very mild offense
with kids who have more serious offenses [in in-school suspension]," said
Olga McHugh, a Cheltenham parent.

"If children have a problem with drugs and alcohol and we send them home
[out-of-school suspension], I'm just as concerned as to what will happen
with that child," said school board member David Rackow.

The item has proven to be a sticking point and no general consensus was
reached Tuesday.

Likewise, other proposed changes including barring a student from
extracurricular activities only for as long as he/she is suspended for and
retaining the superintendent's discretion over the length of a student's
expulsion did not receive overwhelming approval.

The board will present a first draft of a new policy at the April 13 board
meeting. There will be another policy meeting April 20 to discuss final
changes, and the board hopes to present the proposal for its second read
where it will become policy May 11.